Congress protested in Shimla against rising fuel prices, accusing the Centre of burdening common people. Leaders said the hike impacts transport and tourism in Himachal Pradesh, a state dependent on outside supplies, and vowed to continue protests.
The Congress party on Monday staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner's office at CTO Chowk in Shimla against the rising prices of petrol and diesel, accusing the Central government of burdening the common people with inflation.
Congress Slams Centre for Post-Election Price Hikes
Speaking to ANI during the protest, Shimla District Congress President Inderjeet Singh said the continuous increase in fuel prices has directly impacted the pockets of ordinary citizens, particularly in a hill state like Himachal Pradesh that depends heavily on supplies from outside. "After the completion of elections in five states, the price of commercial LPG cylinders was increased by nearly Rs 1,000, and petrol prices have also risen sharply in the last few days. The direct burden of this increase is falling on the common people," he said.
He alleged that before the elections, Union Petroleum Ministry officials had claimed there was no shortage or crisis in the country, but prices were increased immediately after the polls concluded. "Himachal is not a producing state. Almost everything comes from outside. Therefore, the increase in fuel prices directly affects transportation costs and ultimately impacts the common man," Inderjeet Singh told ANI.
Wider Economic Impact on Himachal
The Congress leader said the impact of rising fuel prices was not limited to transport alone but had affected every sector, especially tourism, which forms the backbone of Himachal Pradesh's economy. "Tourism is already under pressure, and every industry is being affected by inflation. Petrol has crossed Rs 102 per litre while diesel is nearing Rs 97 per litre. The prices of gold and the dollar are also rising," he said.
He criticised remarks allegedly advising people to reduce spending and avoid purchasing gold, saying such statements mocked the struggles of the middle and lower-income classes. "Poor and middle-class families are already struggling with rising expenses. Congress will not tolerate policies that increase the burden on ordinary citizens," he added.
Centre's Policies Blamed for Economic Woes
Inderjeet Singh further said the Congress party stood firmly with the people on the issue of inflation and accused the Centre's foreign and trade policies of worsening the economic situation. Referring to the 2008 global financial crisis, he praised former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for handling the situation with economic wisdom and restraint. "During the 2008 economic crisis, the then government under Dr. Manmohan Singh handled the situation with maturity and protected India's economy. Even global leaders appreciated India's economic management at that time," he said.
He alleged that the current economic challenges were the result of failures in the Centre's foreign and business policies and said the Congress party would continue to raise the issue of inflation "from Parliament to the streets" alongside the public. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)