PANJIM: The opposition Congress party on Friday staged symbolic protests in front of petrol pumps across Goa against rising fuel prices and demanded to roll back price rise.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar, who rode a bullock cart in Panjim alleged that the Modi government is cheating and looting people of India by selling petrol which cost them Rs 35.63 litre at Rs 93.80 per litre while, diesel which is costing Rs 38.16 per litre selling at 91.50 per litre.
Chodankar said that insensitive Modi government is cheating people in the name of ‘Acche Din’ even when people are suffering due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “The government is charging freight, custom duty, basic excise, special duty, agricultural infrastructure development cess, road and infrastructure cess, State VAT and other charges, which are added to base price of petrol Rs 35.63 and diesel 38.16 to sell it for Rs 93.80 and 91.50. This is open public loot,” he said.
Chodankar strongly demanded to roll back the price rise and sell petrol and diesel at Rs 36 and Rs 38 respectively.
CCP corporator Joel Andrade pointed out that fuel prices were hiked 15 times in last 45 days and 40 time since January this year. He charge that the Modi government is increasing prices of petrol of diesel when international crude oil prices per barrel are lowest.
North Goa congress district committee along with Mapusa and Aldona Congress block committee held a protest in Mapusa wherein various leaders like North Goa district president Vijay Bhike, councilor Sudhir Kandolkar, Bholanath Ghadi, state committee member Sudin Naik and other office bearers gathered at Mapusa and stood with banners in their hands shouting slogans against BJP government.
The Ponda Block Congress Committee led by its President Arun Gudekar and party workers today protested at Ponda Petrol pump against the BJP Government for continuously putting additional burden on the people by increasing the fuel prices when people are suffering due to COVID pandemic time.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat visited all three petrol pumps in Margao where Congress workers held demonstrations against the growing price rise of fuel and even gas cylinders. While the Margao Congress block demonstrated in fronted Virginkar pump, Youth Congress protested in front of the Kurade petrol pump and District Congress Committee gathered at Mohidin petrol pump near Nanutel hotel.
“If COVID does not kill people the increasing prices will definitely kill them as many have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and cannot afford to pay such high prices,” said Kamat.
Curchorem Congress leaders and party workers held protest at Curchorem petrol pump near the KTC bus stand.
The Bicholim block Congress committee on Friday staged an agitation at the Bicholim petrol
