CPM calls for all-India protest on May 8 against oil price hike

Condemning the "astronomical rise" in the retail price of petrol and diesel, the Left party has said it would have a "back-breaking" impact on the ordinary people and also have a cascading effect on the essential commodity prices.

"The CPI(M) demands that the central government should immediately roll back the duty to provide some relief to the people who are coming under tremendous burden. The politburo has called upon all its units to observe May 8 as an all India protest day demanding the immediate rollback of duty hikes. "This is particularly necessary after the central government willingly allows lakhs of crores of rupees as tax waivers to top corporates of the country. The retail prices of petrol and diesel are both now ruling at the highest ever levels," a statement said.