TUs Call For Nationwide Campaign Against Oil Price Hike

SEVEN central trade unions – AITUC, CITU, AICCTU, HMS, TUCC, UTUC and  UTUC(LS) – while strongly opposing the price hike of diesel by Rs 2.00 per litre and of petrol by Rs 2.50 per litre, have called for a nationwide campaign against the hike. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the union cabinet decision of June 20 effecting this hike.

In a joint statement, the central trade unions expressed shock at the fact that to serve the interests of some private oil companies a big burden has been thrust upon the common people by the government. This step, once again, signified that the UPA government is not willing to pay heed to the objections raised by the working class, the unions felt.

Calling the hike totally uncalled for as it would not only be a big burden on the common people but would also trigger inflation as the input costs for both industry and agriculture will go up and the cascading effect will raise prices of all commodities.

“The higher global crude cost could be offset by reducing excise duty, by withdrawing additional cess of 50 paise and removing the price parity system of indigenous crude with imported lot, and also by withdrawing the duty drawback system to private companies for exports, amounting to Rs1200 crores. Price stabilisation can be achieved by parity using the oil development fund of Rs 5400 crore, which is lying with the government unutilised”, the statement suggested.

Calling for a nationwide campaign against this price hike and demanding its withdrawal, the unions have asked the working class to organise protest actions/demonstrations through out the country.

AIRTWF CALL

K K Divakaran, general secretary, All India Road Transport Workers’ Federation in a statement called upon motor transport workers to launch strong protest actions and strike at the national level against the hike in prices of petrol and diesel.

Terming the government decision as imposition of a heavy burden to the common people and motor transport industry and its workers, the federation stated it would chalk out action programmes shortly. In Kerala, motor transport workers already went on one day strike against the hike on June 22. (INN)