New Delhi, Sept 01: Congress today assailed the hike in prices of petrol and diesel saying it was "a serious body blow" to the economy. "The price hike in petrol and diesel is a serious body blow to economy as a whole. In particular, it will have a serious adverse impact on rural and transport sector which would have cascading effect on the entire economy. Congress party condemns such an anti-people decision," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.
He said it was obvious that government has "adopted the policy of avoiding and evading" Parliament as the price hike was announced immediately after the monsoon session of Parliament.
"Such a tactics is to circumvent the elected body, especially on a matter of prejudice to common men, agriculture and rural economy. Congress party condemns such an anti-people decision," he said.
When pointed that international market prices determine the price in Indian market, Singhvi said if it was so why Parliament was not taken into confidence which was in session.
To a pointed query that the price hike was decision of oil corporations, he said everybody knows who takes a decision with regard to pricing policy. "If we think that the price hike decision was taken by oil corporations, then we are living in fools' paradise."
Bureau Report