Fuel price rise: BJD to launch State-wide protest from September 7

Bhubaneswar: Prices of both petrol and diesel reached an all-time high with the petrol prices touching Rs 86 per litre in Mumbai.

Not only Mumbai or New Delhi, people across the country including Odisha are now feeling the pinch of fuel price rise.

Protesting such steep rise in prices of petrol and diesel, the ruling-BJD in Odisha today announced to launch a State-wide protest for three days, beginning September 7.

As per plans, BJD will carry out demonstrations in front of petrol pumps across Odisha till September 9.

Addressing an event of BJD Mahila Morcha and students' wing of the party, senior leader Pramila Mallick blamed the BJP government at the Centre for rise in fuel prices.

"We are going to protest fuel price rise which is affecting the common man most. We will stage protests in front of petrol pumps and inform people how BJP's 'Ache Din' slogan is affecting their daily lives," said Mallick.

Mallick further informed that the demonstration will be carried for two hours from 10 AM to 12 noon.

BJP on the other hand criticised the protest call by the BJD.

"At a time when the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister has categorically briefed that the price rise is mostly due to rise in the prices of crude oil in international markets, such kind of protest by BJD is totally unjustified," said BJP leader Pradip Purohit.

Purohit also accused the BJD of maintaining double standards as the party is looting people by collecting VAT on petroleum products.

"If Odisha government stops collecting VAT on petrol and diesel, the prices will come down considerably," Purohit added.