BKU to protest against rising diesel prices, ‘police harassment’ on June 30

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 26

The Bhartiya Kisan Union will hold district-level demonstrations across the country on June 30 in protest against steady rise in fuel prices, especially diesel, “police harassment” and other issues.

Accusing the BJP-led government of acting like a “public limited company”, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said its policies had “broken the backbone of the distressed farming community” 

“The price of diesel has hit the roof and so have the cost of electricity, fertilisers and chemicals. This is the first time in the history of the country that the price of diesel is more than petrol price. 

“The BJP, which made inflation an issue in 2014, is silent today. Farmers are unable to get right price for their produce, while the government is filling its coffers by imposing heavy taxes even under these adverse circumstances. Today about Rs 50 excise duty is being charged on diesel. The government is acting like a public limited company and doing business on oil and electricity,” he said.

According to the BKU, it will stage demonstrations in protest against the increase in diesel and electricity prices, “huge challans” on vehicles and other issues. The protests will continue till the people are given relief, it added.