Members of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) organised a ‘Halla Bol’ protest against the rising prices of petrol, diesel, CNG and LPG cylinders in Panipat and Sonepat.
In Sonepat, INLD members led by district president Kunal Gahlawat submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister through Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh, demanding immediate intervention to reduce fuel prices and provide relief to the public.
Party workers gathered at Chhotu Ram Chowk and carried out a protest march in bullock carts to express their anger, before reaching the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Addressing the gathering outside the secretariat, district in-charge and former MLA Rampal Kundu launched a sharp attack on the government, accusing it of failing to manage the economy.
Kundu said life had become increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens. He added that the sharp rise in fuel prices over the past 15 days had severely impacted the financial stability of households. He also said industries and small businesses were still struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our youth are facing historic unemployment levels, while farmers and labourers are being forced to operate at a loss as they do not receive fair prices for their crops. In such a grim scenario, this inflation is the final blow breaking the back of the public,” he said.
INLD leaders said the fuel price hike had worsened conditions for the common man. They added that the steep increase in commercial and domestic LPG cylinder prices had disrupted monthly kitchen budgets, with the cost of vegetables, grains, milk, curd, oil and ghee also rising sharply.
They further said rising diesel prices had significantly increased operational costs for tractors, tubewells and heavy farm machinery. The cost of essential construction materials such as cement, steel, bricks and sand had also surged.
In its memorandum, the INLD demanded withdrawal of rising petrol, diesel, CNG and LPG prices, reduction in excise duty and VAT on petroleum products, and strict regulatory checks to curb the rising cost of essential commodities. The party also sought special financial relief and assistance schemes for struggling farmers and low-income families.
In Panipat, INLD workers held a separate protest march against inflation, unemployment and fuel price hikes. Led by district president Kuldeep Rathi, party members gathered at the Mini Secretariat and raised slogans against the state and central governments, demanding control over inflation and greater employment opportunities for youth.