The Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) [SUCI(C)] staged a protest near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle in Kalaburagi on Sunday condemning the recent increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.

The protesters said that the Centre has raised fuel prices five times in the last 10 to 12 days and demanded an immediate rollback of the price hike.

Holding placards and raising slogans, they said that the increase in fuel prices has placed an additional burden on common people, hoteliers, autorickshaw drivers and other sections dependent on transportation and fuel.

Addressing a gathering, district secretary R.K. Veerabhadrappa and district committee member V. Nagammal questioned the Centre’s justification that the increase is linked to the rise in global crude oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

They argued that if international factors are responsible for the hike, the government should explain why prices remained unchanged until the completion of Assembly elections in five States.

The speakers also criticised the increase in LPG and CNG prices and contended that the benefits of lower crude oil prices in the past, including discounted imports from Russia, have not been passed on to consumers. Instead, they said, taxes on petroleum products have been increased.

The party claimed that nearly half the retail price of petrol and diesel comprises Central and State taxes and accused both the BJP and Congress governments of shifting responsibility onto each other while consumers continue to bear the burden.

The SUCI(C) leaders said that higher fuel prices will inevitably increase transportation costs and contribute to inflation, further affecting households already grappling with stagnant incomes and limited employment opportunities.

They urged both the Central and State governments to reduce taxes on fuel, explore alternative energy sources and take steps to ease the burden on the public.