Trinamool workers pedal 2Km to protest against fuel price
KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and people from different walks of life took part in a 2km-long cycle rally from Ganesh Talkies to Bagbazar on Monday afternoon to protest against the price hike of petroleum products and cooking gas.
TMC leader and local MLA, Dr Shashi Panja, flagged off the rally. As a mark of protest, she rode the bicycle along with other party workers.
The price of cooking gas reached a staggering Rs 845.50 in the city.
Earlier on February 25, Mamata Banerjee rode pillion on an electric scooter to Nabanna to protest against the price hike.
Panja said common people had been badly affected by the spiraling fuel prices. “The insensitive BJP-led Centre is reluctant to listen to the voice of the common people. The prices of vegetables and essential commodities have also gone up and the indifferent Centre is not making any statements on the issue,” she added.
Mamata Banerjee demanded that the price of cooking back should be brought down to Rs 400 a cylinder. Meanwhile, the increasing fuel prices are causing inconveniences to the common people. “The hike in the price of cooking gas will affect the middle class badly. Most of the households need two cylinders per month. We will have to pay around Rs 900 per month,” said Namita Banerjee, a housewife.
Hit by the price rise, the street food vendors have also been compelled to increase the prices of food items. They also complained that the price hike was a severe blow to their businesses after lockdown.
“The clients are objecting to the increased prices of food items. We will be forced to close our shops,” said Kajal Mondal, a street food vendor in Beliaghata.