Congress protests fuel shortage, price hikes in Nashik

Nashik: The Nashik unit of the Congress on Friday staged demonstrations across the city, protesting diesel shortage and recent hikes in fuel prices, which party leaders said have increased the burden on common citizens.

They later submitted a memorandum to district collector Ayush Prasad, demanding immediate measures to ensure adequate diesel supply and curtail further price escalation. Congress leaders said diesel prices have been revised four times in the past two weeks, aggravating public distress. They warned that supply shortage could disrupt agricultural activities, particularly with the kharif season approaching and the onset of the monsoon.

Highlighting the issue, Nashik city Congress chief Nilesh Khaire said, “Over the past 11 days, petrol and diesel prices have been increased by Rs8 per litre. This hike has rubbed salt into the wounds of the public already grappling with rising inflation.”

He added, “Over the last 12 years, petrol prices have increased by 38%, while diesel prices have increased by 62%. During the tenure of the UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh, crude oil prices had touched $100 per barrel, yet petrol and diesel prices were not allowed to cross Rs70 per litre. In contrast, at present, even when crude oil prices are around $50–55 per barrel, petrol prices have soared to over Rs100 per litre.”

He went on to state that in 12 years the central govt has collected as much as Rs43 lakh crore through taxes and cess on petroleum products. “Furthermore, price hikes in the last four years enabled oil companies such as BPCL, IOCL and HPCL to earn nearly Rs29,800 crore, which amounts to a financial burden imposed on the public,” Khaire alleged.