The CPI has criticised the Centre over increasing the prices of petrol and diesel repeatedly. The party has also faulted the Centre’s economic and foreign policies, which, it says, are burdening the common people.

Addressing the media in Vijayawada on Tuesday, party national secretary K. Ramakrishna said the Centre, for the second time this month, increased the prices of petrol and diesel, this time by 90 paise per litre.

Rising fuel prices would lead to higher transport charges and increased prices of essential commodities, severely affecting ordinary families, he said. “The NDA government at the Centre is failing to fulfil the promises made to farmers, unemployed youth and the poor,” he added.

He also accused the Centre of weakening the public education system by shutting down government schools and pursuing policies favouring corporate groups.

Mr. Ramakrishna said the party would organise nation-wide awareness campaigns from August 6 to 15 against the NDA government’s “anti-people policies” and stage a ‘Chalo Delhi’ protest on September 28.

Mr. Ramakrishna demanded that Amaravati be declared a free zone and opposed the “forced land acquisition” from the farmers in the name of capital development.

‘Reduce VAT’

CPI State secretary G. Eswaraiah demanded reduction of VAT on petrol and diesel in Andhra Pradesh, alleging that the State government was imposing an additional burden on people through high taxes. He said fuel prices could be reduced significantly if VAT was lowered.

Mr. Eswaraiah also demanded a ban on illegal belt shops across the State and criticised the government’s population incentive policies, stating that meaningful support such as free education, healthcare and land allocation should be provided to larger families instead of temporary cash incentives.