Bharat Bandh on September 10: Congress Calls for a Nationwide Shutdown Over Rising Fuel Prices

New Delhi, Sep 6: Amid rising fuel prices, the Congress has called for a nationwide shutdown on September 10 and has asked other opposition parties and civil society groups to join their protest against the government. While speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Congress Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said a protest will be called on September 10 against this fuel loot by the Central Government. Surjewala said that the common man was bearing the brunt of the rising prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.

"The Congress party has decided that we will be giving a call for Bharat Bandh on September 10, Monday, in order to highlight the Rs 11 lakh crore fuel loot and to demand an immediate reduction in central excise duty as also excessive VAT in the state," he told reporters.

Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Surjewala said during the protest, Congress will also demand petrol and diesel should be brought within the ambit of the GST so that the "common man whose budget has gone haywire is provided the requisite relief”.  "We also call upon other societal groups, NGOs... to join this people's movement," he said.

After recording an increase for ten consecutive days, fuel prices across four major cities remained steady on Wednesday. On Thursday, fuel prices once again witnessed a surge with petrol being sold at Rs.79.51 per litre and diesel at Rs.71.55 per litre here in the national capital. In Mumbai, the price of petrol has surpassed the Rs 86 mark to be sold at Rs.86.91 per litre, while diesel is being retailed at Rs.75.96 per litre. The price of petrol has been increased by 20 paise per litre, while diesel saw a hike of 21 paise per litre, as compared to Tuesday's prices in New Delhi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 06, 2018 07:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).