Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Apr 9: Protests were held at Ajjarkad here on Saturday April 9 in the leadership of Udupi district Congress committee under directions from Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee condemning the price rises of petrol, diesel, cooking gas, electricity, milk prices, and the items of daily use.

Udupi district Congress president Ashok Kodavoor said that the prices did not increase till the elections for five states were held. “Petrol prices have gone up 13 times during the last 15 days. The price of a barrel of petrol is $105 only. Prices are increasing on all the items of daily use. The government that promised to stand by the poor is increasing the prices, causing commotion in the name of religion and taking people to the other direction.”

Veteran Congress leader Manjunath Bhandary said that the price of petrol was $107 dollars in the year 2011. Petrol and diesel were sold at the rate of Rs 58 and Rs 37 those days. The price is $108 at present. But the petrol and diesel prices in the country are Rs 109 and Rs 93 due to the increased levy of taxes on them. The opposition party had protested on bicycles when the petrol prices were increased during Congress rule. Even a rise of one rupee affects prices of everything. The ruling party arouses sentiments so that the opposition party does not question the price rise. They are changing the direction in which the people think,” he said.

Udupi block Congress president Ramesh Kanchan, Byndoor former MLA Gopal Poojary, Kaup block former MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake, Amrath Shenoy, Prakhyat Shetty, KPCC panellist Veronica Corneleo, Roshni Olivera, Jyothi Hebbar, Surayya Anjum and others were present.