CPM to protest against fuel price hike on June 4

T’puram: CPM will organize a statewide protest against rising fuel prices on June 4. CPM state secretary M V Govindan said the protest was being organized against Centre’s unmindful hike of petroleum products and the silence of UDF govt in Kerala over the issue.Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, Govindan said CPM workers would protest in front of central govt offices and other select places on Thursday. “Fuel prices are increasing like anything. Centre increased petrol and diesel price four times in a span of 10 days, from May 15 to 25. When oil price came down in international markets, Centre increased fuel cess to deny the benefit to people. Centre is trying to put unnecessary burden on the people in the name of crude oil price hike,” he said.Govindan claimed that state govt was also playing second fiddle to Centre. After the recent fuel price hike, state govt will get an extra Rs 2/litre. Chief minister V D Satheesan, who wanted LDF govt to forgo the additional revenue, has now taken a U-turn, he said. “With that demand, Satheesan cycled from Cantonment house to assembly. But now he is not ready to stick to his argument,” said Govindan.The CPM state secretary added that Centre’s subservient attitude to the US was the root cause for the current fuel crisis in the country.