JAMMU, May 15: Sunil Dimple along with hundreds of workers, traders and supporters staged a strong protest rally against the recent hike in petrol, diesel and LPG prices, besides alleging shortage and black marketing of LPG cylinders in Jammu.
The protest rally, organised under the banner of Mission Statehood, was taken out from Janipur High Court Road to New Plot area. Protesters raised slogans against the rising fuel prices and demanded immediate rollback of the increased rates of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG cylinders.
Addressing the gathering, Sunil Dimple alleged that the continuous rise in petrol and diesel prices would badly affect the budget of poor and middle-class families. He said the increase in fuel prices would further raise transportation costs, leading to a sharp rise in prices of essential commodities, vegetables and grocery items.
Dimple claimed that the situation has become difficult for common people as inflation has already affected household expenses. He alleged that there is an acute shortage of LPG cylinders in the market and accused black marketers of selling domestic cylinders for nearly Rs 2000 and commercial cylinders for around Rs 4000.
He further stated that the increasing prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas have adversely affected traders, eateries, fast-food outlets, sweet shops and tea stalls, many of which are allegedly on the verge of closure due to rising operational costs.
During the protest, Dimple appealed to Narendra Modi to direct the Central Government, Union Territories and State Governments to adopt austerity measures. He urged ministers, MPs and MLAs to vacate government bungalows, reduce official expenses, deposit six months’ salaries in government treasuries and use two-wheelers instead of official vehicles in order to help reduce the economic burden on the public.
He also appealed to public representatives to live in their personal houses and minimise government expenditure so that relief could be provided to common people through rollback of fuel and LPG prices.
Demanding immediate withdrawal of the recent hike, Dimple warned that if the government fails to roll back the increased prices of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders, a larger public agitation would be launched in the coming days.
Among others present during the protest included HR Gupta, Karan Pardan, Mintoo Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Nitin Saini and several traders and hoteliers.