Thiruvananthapuram: The first session of the newly-elected Kerala Assembly began on a stormy note on Monday, with the opposition Left walking out after the Speaker disallowed their demand for a discussion on the recent hike in fuel prices.
Seeking leave for an adjournment motion, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) legislator and former state finance minister Thomas Issac said the latest hikes in prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas were a cruel blow to the people.
"Had the Centre taken cognisance of the huge corruption in the 2G scam, S-band and other corruption cases, that money could have been used to settle the so-called deficit of Rs 1.22 lakh crore of the various oil companies," Issac said.
Replying to the opposition charges, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said his government sympathised with the people of the state.
"We have decided to forgo the tax portion that the state government would have got on account of the increased price of Rs 3 per litre of diesel. As a result, diesel will now cost Rs 0.75 less," said Chandy.
Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition VS Achuthanandan, before leading the entire opposition out of the House, said Chandy`s explanations will not ease the people`s woes.
The Central government Friday (June 24) announced a hike in the price of diesel by Rs 3 per litre, kerosene by Rs 2 a litre and cooking gas by Rs 50 per cylinder.
IANS
