Reduction in petrol price ploy to deflect criticism: CPI(M)

Petrol prices have gone up several times since petroleum prices were deregulated in June last year, the party Politburo said, demanding a reversal of the deregulation.

"The decision to cut petrol price by two rupees, on the eve of Parliament session is nothing but a poorly concealed ploy to deflect the widespread criticism of the failure of the Government to check inflation," the CPI(M) said in a statement.

Since July this year, the price has gone up by five rupees, so it is still Rs three higher than it was mid-year, it said.

Unless the Government reverses its "anti-people" measure of deregulation of prices of petrol, made even more necessary because of the volatility of the international market, there can be no relief from the cascading impact of rising prices of petroleum products, the major Left party said.

"Instead of taking such a step, the Prime Minister is on record with the threat of extension of deregulation to the prices of other petroleum products, such as diesel and cooking gas," the CPI(M) said.