The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : AIADMK, DMK to protest against fuel price hike

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 08, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

AIADMK, DMK to protest against fuel price hike

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, NOV. 7. The ruling All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and its principal opposition, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), today announced their plans of protest against the recent hike in petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices.

While the AIADMK will hold demonstrations in the State, Pondicherry and Karnataka on November 9 condemning the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government for effecting the increase in the prices, the DMK protests, urging the Centre to immediately reconsider the decision, are planned for November 10.

The AIADMK's protest before prominent Central Government establishments in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Karnataka on Tuesday would be led by party MLAs and local body leaders.

`Anti-people measure'

Describing the hike as an anti-people measure, an AIADMK release today said the Centre increased the fuel prices thrice in the last five months. Since the hike would make essential commodities costlier, the move would affect the poor the most.

The release urged functionaries to draw attention to the burden imposed by the UPA on the common man while addressing the ongoing series of meetings. They must `highlight the achievements of the AIADMK and expose the false propaganda of the opposition parties'.

Other issues

The DMK demonstrations will highlight eight other issues. A release from the party general secretary, K. Anbazhagan, said the State Government must immediately grant relief to farmers, hut dwellers and people affected by the recent rain. The party will demand reinstatement of 10,000 gang mazdoors and 13,000 multi-purpose health workers, reduction in students' fees and grant of 20 per cent bonus to employees of transport corporations, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and State undertakings.

The DMK wants the State Government to issue the remaining part of the dearness allowance to employees and revive welfare schemes such as `Samathuvapuram'.

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