Congress to observe Odisha bandh on February 15 over fuel price hike
BHUBANESWAR: The Congress state unit on Tuesday announced to observe a 6-hour state-wide bandh on February 15 in protest against the consistent rise in prices of fuel and domestic gas. The shutdown will be observed from 7 am to 1 pm.
Seeking the support of the people of the state to make the bandh a success, the Congress said emergency services will remain unaffected during the protest.
Congress state president Niranjan Patnaik hit out at the BJP at Centre and BJD in the state for failing to tame the fuel prices. “The shameless fuel loot by the BJD and the BJP governments has forced us to call for Odisha bandh. Both the Centre and state governments must be held accountable. Only a sharp reduction in fuel prices will give relief to the common man,” Niranjan told media persons.
The state Congress chief said the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed owing to the steep rise in fuel prices. “During UPA-I and UPA-II regime, the prices of petrol and diesel had remained below Rs 80 per litre when the international crude oil prices ranged between $100 and $ 115 barrel. Despite a significant fall in the crude oil prices these days, the prices of petrol and diesel are nearing Rs 90 per litre,” Niranjan said.
On February 6, Niranjan had written to chief minister Naveen Patnaik and urged him to slash the state VAT by Rs 10 per litre on petrol and diesel. The Congress president also requested Naveen to ask the Centre to reduce the excise duty on fuel.
It must be noted, the fuel prices have increased by 13 times so far this year. Petrol and diesel prices stood at Rs 87.97 and Rs 84.40, respectively in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
Congress said the February 15 bandh will also mark their protest against the rising crimes, especially against women and children, and other issues. “Under the BJD government, ‘Jal, Jungle and Jameen’ are in danger in our state. In recent years, killings have become rampant. Our mothers and sisters are not safe on the Odisha’s streets. We need to raise our voice. I appeal to the people to support the bandh,” Niranjan tweeted. The BJD and BJP are yet to react on the Congress-sponsored bandh call.