People's Democracy

AIDWA Condemns Post-Election

Petro Price Hike

The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has issued the following statement on May 16:

AIDWA strongly condemns the latest savage increase in the price of petrol by Rs 5 per litre - the ninth increase in nine months. The rise is unwarranted particularly because the international prices of oil have been shown a declining trend in recent weeks. This is indeed the post-election gift to the people from the UPA government! For the common people who have been reeling under relentless price rise for several months now, this is an additional burden, which will push many more families to the brink of poverty. It will have a cascading impact on the prices of all essential commodities that will particularly affect women and children. Milk prices have already escalated by Rs 2 per litre and other commodities are sure to follow suit. The threat of increase in diesel and gas prices also looms large in the coming days.

We strongly object to the totally irresponsible statement of the finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee that the UPA government has nothing to do with this increase since it is for oil companies to decide on prices linked to international rates. It is simply a ploy for the government to look the other way because it is the Congress-led UPA that has brought in the policy of deregulation of petrol prices.

AIDWA demands that the petrol prices should be rolled back immediately and that all petroleum products should be under the administered price mechanism. The irrational taxation structure should be revised. AIDWA calls upon all its units to mobilise women across the country to protest against this price hike along with all other democratic forces.