The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, has demanded that the Centre roll back the latest hike in petrol prices.
In a statement released to the media, the Chief Minister, while strongly condemning the price hike of Rs 1.82 a litre of petrol, pointed out that the petrol price had been hiked previously by Rs 2.61 from September 15. In June the price of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas had also been hiked.
The hikes in the price of petrol come at a time when prices of all products have spiralled sky high. Little regard has been shown for the plight of the poor or the public.
The economic policies of the Centre are to blame for the price inflation, she said. Instead of taking action to control inflation, the Centre's action will further add to the price increase. The poor and the middle class group which depend on two-wheelers will be most affected by the petrol price hike.