Protests in Andhra Pradesh over hike in prices of petroleum products

All Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh today took to streets in a massive way protesting the steep hike petroleum product prices and organised agitations even as chief minister K Rosaiah said government would take a decision on July 1 on reducing the impact of the hike.

The state government was expected to earn an additional Rs 540 crore in the form of sales tax as a result of the hike in petro products, the Chief Minister noted, adding they would draw plans to spend this money on public welfare.

"A decision in this regard will be taken at the cabinet meeting on July 1," Rosaiah said.

Meanwhile, strongly condemning the Centre's decision to increase prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas, TDP workers organised a protest outside the Chief Rationing Officer's office at Begumpet here and cooked food.

The protesters demanded an immediate rollback in fuel price hike. Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) chief Chiranjeevi, as part of the agitation, participated in a padayatra from Tummalapally auditorium to Sub-Collector’s office after riding a bullock cart fitted with lorry steering for some distance in Vijayawada.

Similarly, CPI state committee secretary K Narayana also participated in a demonstration in Vijayawada.

Slamming the government for increasing the fuel prices, the protesters burnt the effigy of Central government.

Addressing the protesters Narayana faulted the deregulation
policy announced by the Centre.