UPA Govt hikes petro prices 'with a heavy heart'

Wed, Jun 4 07:11 PM

The Congress on Wednesday justified the Government's decision to increase petroleum prices, saying minimum possible burden has been put on the common man.

"It is with a heavy heart that the UPA Government has taken the decision. Minimum possible burden has been put on the common man," AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters in New Delhi.

He hit back at the BJP's contention that the Congress-led UPA Government has unleashed 'economic terror' on the people, saying these were 'irresponsible statements' made by those who indulge in politics of fear and violence.

"We reject the statements with contempt," he said. Tewari claimed that when the BJP was in power, it raised oil prices 21 times. "We have raised it only once," Tewari said.

He steered clear of questions on whether the Government would roll back the oil price hike.

"A very difficult decision has been taken. I am not going to indulge in any speculation," he said. Tewari said the party would also like the state governments to take measures like duty cuts as taken by the Centre to see that minimum possible burden was put on the common man.

He parried a question on whether the price hike had Congress President Sonia Gandhi approval, saying, 'the question does not arise'.

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