SHILLONG/TURA/NONGPOH: In the aftermath of the incessant inflation in the prices of diesel and petrol, state Congress on Monday held multiple demonstrations across the state, opposing Centre’s move tooth and nail.
It may be mentioned that the Congress launched a countrywide agitation starting Monday against the government for raising the prices of petroleum products 22 times in the past 23 days, with party president Sonia Gandhi accusing it of setting “a new example of extortion”.
Dharna in Shillong
In the city, the members of Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) participated in a dharna in collaboration with the Shillong City Congress Committee and East Khasi Hills District Congress Committee at the Congress Bhavan.
Condemning the inflation, MPCC Working President James S Lyngdoh said the inflation has added to the woes of the public, who have already been subjected to financial distress induced by the lockdown.
“The central government, instead of rendering help to them (people), is increasing the prices of petrol and diesel,” Lyngdoh said.
While stating that the crude price has been witnessing an everyday decline globally, he accused Centre of increasing the petrol and diesel prices in order to earn Excise Duty.
A statement from MPCC also said that all the Block Congress Committees (BCCs) will hold dharnas from June 30 to July 4 in the state.
Letter to Prezfrom SWGH
Members of the Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) on Monday submitted a memorandum to the President through the South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner in a protest against the price hike on petrol and diesel.
The memorandum was submitted by MPYC president, Richard Marak, and Salmanpara Congress legislator, Winnerson D Sangma, before SWKH Deputy Commissioner, Ch Ram Krishna.
Later, in a statement, the Congress accused the Centre of deliberately raising the cost of fuel at the expense of the common man.
“Since the time Modi government took office in 2014, excise duty on fuel has been raised. Modi government has earned Rs 16-lakh crore by raising the prices of fuel. Excise on diesel has been raised by over 800 per cent and petrol by more than 250 per cent in the country,” complained the Youth Congress president.
Accusing the government of being heartless, Marak said, “In the last three months, when the COVID-19 crisis has gripped the country and the people are suffering, the Modi government has raised the price of diesel. Most glaring is the Centre’s raising of the fuel for 18 consecutive days.”
Protest in Ri Bhoi
The leaders of the Ri Bhoi District Congress Committee (RBDCC) on Monday staged a protest against rise in prices of petrol and diesel.
The RBDCC, led by its president and legislator from Nongpoh Mayralborn Syiem, staged the protest at Nongpoh, which was also attended by leaders of the party from district and constituencies.
“As a responsible political party that looks after the welfare of the people, especially the poor and downtrodden, we cannot just sit idle and be a mere spectator on the difficulties and hardships faced by our citizens due to the skyrocketing prices of petrol, diesel and other essential commodities in the country,” the RBDCC president said.
The RBDCC also said that the party will soon write a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.