BJD announces agitation against fuel price hike

Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD on Tuesday announced to stage a peaceful demonstration in front of all the petrol pumps across Odisha on April 7 protesting against the hike in the prices of petroleum products.

The decision came after petrol prices reached an all-time high in last four-year in the country and diesel is at an all-time high following a rapid rise in international rates.

BJD general secretary Sanjay Das Burma said that the party activists will hold a peaceful demonstration outside the filling stations between 9 am to 12 noon.

The members of Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) will stage a dharna in front of all petrol pumps across the state on April 7 in protest against the rise of petrol and diesel price.

They will also distribute leaflets to make people aware of the fact on the frequent hike in the price of petroleum products and expose the hidden agenda of Centre.

Petrol was sold for Rs 72.79 a litre while diesel was sold at Rs 69.45 per litre.

Earlier on Monday, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the dynamic pricing regime, whereby prices of transport fuels are revised daily, would continue despite petrol prices going up by over Rs 6 per litre since the scheme was introduced pan-India from mid-June.

He also appealed that the fuel price should come under the ambit of the GST and GST Council should decide on the matter.