After the Congress, the Left parties on Wednesday called for a six-hour Odisha Bandh on July 15 to protest the rising prices of petroleum products and other essential commodities. “The Union Government has hatched a conspiracy to loot the common man by hiking the prices of petrol and diesel and essential commodities. The common people's livelihood has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the price rise has made their lives more miserable. We strongly condemn this inhuman act by the Government,” said CPI State secretary Ashis Kanungo in a Press meet here. “In protest against the price rise, the Left parties including CPI, CPI(M), Forward Block, CPI-M Liberation have called for the State-wide bandh on July 15. The protest will start from 6 am and continue till 12 pm. Vehicles will have to stay off the roads and other business establishments will also have to down their shutters, added Kanungo, “We demand the Union and State Governments waive taxes on petrol and diesel and reduce the prices of essential commodities. A crackdown should be launched against black marketers and illegal hoarders. Considering the price rise of essential commodities and Covid-induced market situation, the Government should provide 10 kg of rice or wheat per family in State,” demanded Kanungo.