Team Herald

PANJIM: As part of nation-wide bandh called by Congress against soaring fuel prices, party’s leaders in Goa went to major petrol pumps and made the people aware of the policies of Narendra Modi-led government which resulted in the hike.

Congress leaders, including All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and Goa desk in-charge Dr Chellakumar, State unit president Girish Chodankar, Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, MLAs and others, visited petrol pumps across the State and distributed pamphlets. 

Congress assured that once the party wins the Lok Sabha election and comes to power, it will reduce the petrol prices.

Addressing media persons at a city-based petrol pump, Chellakumar said the State, which is getting ready for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, has not observed the bandh. “We don’t want people to suffer because of the bandh as they are busy shopping for Ganesh Chaturthi. That is why we decided to visit petrol pumps and create awareness amongst the common man,” he said.

The Congress leader said there is a precedent that the UPA government had sold petrol cheaper even when crude oil prices had soared internationally. “When we are back in power we will reduce the price of petrol,” he promised.

Chellakumar said that in the election manifesto, BJP had promised they will control the prices of petrol and diesel by reducing taxes, but failed to do so. He said the State and central governments benefit from the rise in fuel prices in terms of taxes.

“Today itself Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar can reduce Value Added Tax on fuel so that petrol will be cheaper by Rs 10 and also the central government can reduce taxes so that the common man can benefit,” he said.

Chellakumar said that the prices of petrol and diesel have gone to the highest level. “It is a phenomenon throughout the country. We cannot wait for months together to create awareness. It is an urgent need of the hour. It is for that purpose Congress has announced Bharat bandh,” he said. 

MAPUSA: Congress workers and supporters led by North Goa District Congress president Vijay Bhike held a peaceful protest over hike in fuel prices at Carvalho Petrol Pump at Mapusa. They distributed leaflets displaying the price rise to people at the petrol station.

The Congress supporters displayed the price chart at the entry and exit points of the petrol pump to sensitise the commuters over the fuel price hike right from 2014, which has affected the common man. 

Vijai Bhike said the rise in prices of essential commodities such as petrol, diesel and LPG has put a lot of burden on the common man.

“Today, the price of petrol is Rs 74.78 per litre while in 2014 the it was Rs 54.78 per litre. This has affected the common man. The rise in prices of essential commodities ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi has only made matters worse for the Goans who depend heavily on such commodities,” Bhike said. 

Lamenting the petrol price hike, Congress supporter Ryan Mascarenhas said, “The price of petrol in 2014 was Rs 54.78 per litre and today the price is Rs 74.78 per litre. My appeal to the government is to try and reduce the petrol price as it is an essential commodity used on a daily basis”.

CURCHOREM: Opposition Leader Chandrakant Babu Kavalekar along with Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar on Monday went around the Quepem market distributing leaflets highlighting the hike in fuel prices during the BJP government rule in the country.

Chodankar said BJP was shouting when in the Opposition protesting the hike in prices but now they have hiked the prices almost five-fold. 

Kavalekar said that they fully supported the call given by AICC President Rahul Gandhi but decided to restrain from agitating to avoid inconvenience to people. 

PONDA: Congress workers distributed pamphlets at Ponda and Mardol petrol pumps protesting the hike in fuel prices. 

They made the public aware that petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders have been brought under GST and time has come to ensure that Government provides relief to common man. MLA Ravi Naik, councillors namely Ritesh Naik, Anand Naik and William Aguiar, Ponda block president Arun Gudekar, Ashok Naik, Kishore Naik and party workers participated in the protest.

The Mardol Block Committee and Congress Seval Dal protested at the petrol pump at Mardol. All India Congress Seval Dal secretary Rakesh Shetty, Ashish Rathod, Suresh Kadugul Anusaya Kamble, Goa Congress Seva Dal president Shankar Kirlapalkar and local Seval Dal president Manguesh Naik and party workers distributed pamphlets.