TMC workers, supporters stage protests against surging fuel prices

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress workers and supporters staged a protest demonstration at Baidyabati in Hooghly against rising prices of petrol and diesel.

This comes a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her concern over the sharp increase in prices of petrol and diesel. She tweeted on Sunday: "We are very concerned about the rising prices of petrol and diesel. This will certainly affect prices all around.

Common people, farmers and many will suffer."

Hundreds of workers of the party staged a demonstration at Naoga More near Baidyabati in Hooghly. They sought slogans against the "indifferent" attitude of the Centre and demanded its intervention in this connection.

Many common people too joined the protest demonstration and demanded immediate steps so that prices do not soar higher. The demonstration took place in front of a refueling station in the area and they held a rally along the GT Road later. On Monday, the petrol and diesel prices in Kolkata increased by 33 paise and 25 paise respectively.

It took the prices of petrol and diesel to Rs 79.24 and Rs 70.37 respectively, hitting an all-time high.

According to the party workers, they have organised the protest rally apprehending that this price

hike would also increase the prices of essential goods as transportation cost will go up and adversely affect common people.

According to the members of the West Bengal Petroleum Dealers' Association, the sale of both petrol and diesel has quickly dropped as the news of price hike spread.

Tushar Kanti Sen, president of the association said: "I apprehend further drop in the sale if prices keep increasing."

With the increase in the prices, a section of bus owners have started demanding a fare hike and decided to place their demands before the state Transport department.

It may be mentioned that since the change of guard in the state in 2011, the state Transport Department has always taken necessary steps to ensure that common people do not face inconvenience.

Sources said there was a preliminary discussion at the state transport department regarding framing a new policy, which would allow increase of bus fares when fuel prices go up and will get decreased with a fall in the fuel prices.