Fuel Price Hike, Rising Inflation: ‘Mehngai Mukt Abhiyan’ From March 31-April 7

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New Delhi: Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by 80 paise per litre each on Saturday — the fourth increase in five days after the rates were unchanged for four-and-a-half months.

To protest against the regular jump in fuel prices and its effect on retail inflation, Congress on Saturday will launch a campaign called ‘Mehngai Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’.

Rallies, marches and protests will be organized across the country from March 31 to April 7, targeting the BJP government at the Centre.

“People of India have been betrayed, duped and deceived by Modi Government. After keeping the prices of petrol, diesel, gas cylinder, piped natural gas (PNG) & CNG unchanged for 137 days to secure the votes of people, last one week has been a nightmare for budget of every household,” Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

As per the schedule, Congress workers and common people will protest outside their houses and at public places with garlanded gas cylinders at 11 am on March 31. They will also beat drums, ring bells and use other instruments to draw attention of the “deaf BJP government” towards the steep increase in fuel prices.

The district level ‘Mehngai Mukt Bharat’ dharna and march will be organized between April 2 and April 4, while the state level dharna and march will be held at the state headquarters on April 7.

Congress alleged that the Modi government has increased excise duty on petrol and diesel by 531 per cent and 203 per cent since coming to power almost eight years ago.

“On 22nd March 2020, petrol and diesel rates were Rs 69.59 and Rs 62.29 respectively, which have been raised to Rs 98.61 and Rs 89.87 per litre, respectively, an increase of Rs 29.02 for petrol and Rs 27.58 for diesel only in last two years,” a Congress statement said.