DMK chief M Karunanidhi said the issue had become similar to that of attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen allegedly by Sri Lankan navy with political leaders issuing statements expressing concern during such incidents whereas “it seems neither Indian government nor Sri Lankan government are bothered” even as there was no end to the attacks. “Similarly, despite statements condemning the hikes, prices of petrol and diesel keep increasing,” he said.
Karunanidhi said every time petrol prices are revised, the rates of essential commodities automatically go up affecting poorer sections who have little purchasing power.
“Oil companies don’t seem to consider this social problem. The regular hikes in petrol and diesel are being announced after government ceded the pricing control to them.
Considering the chain reaction in society, the government should take back to itself determination of petroleum prices,” he said. Due changes should also be made in the pricing policy considering social welfare, he said, demanding a rollback of Friday’s hike of Rs 1.50 per litre on petrol and 45 paise on diesel.
Slamming the hike, Jayalalithaa had on Friday demanded that the Centre withdraw its order allowing oil firms to fix prices and also rollback the hike.