Delhiites flay fuel price hike

The government's decision today to hike the prices of kerosene, diesel and cooking gas has triggered a wave of resentment among the Capital's residents, many of whom said that they were finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

The government's decision on Friday to hike the prices of kerosene, diesel and cooking gas has triggered a wave of resentment among the Capital's residents, many of whom said that they were finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

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"Yesterday, Pranab Mukherjee said that the government will do something about inflation. Today, they have done 'something', which has battered the common man in this country," said Vivek Malik, who works in a private firm.

Kiran Devi, working as a house maid, said she was upset over the hike of Rs 50 per liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder.

"I just saw the news on TV. The government has no mercy for the poor. I have other expenses to look after and with this added burden, I am on the verge of crumbling," she said.

"Even if the price of diesel reaches Rs 200 per litre, the rich will still drive their cars. But what about the middle class, which keeps reeling under these price rise? The increase in the prices is unfair," said 42-year-old Prakash Singh, a central government employee.

"The people of this country are sandwiched between corruption and inflation. The government is least bothered about the plight of this country," said Delhi University student Rohit Raghav.

"We can't take it any more. The government has increased prices of everything which a poor man uses. How will I buy kerosene to cook food, let alone buying food," said Sri Ram, a street vendor.

Over a month after petrol prices were hiked, the government on Friday raised the price of diesel by Rs 3 a litre, cooking gas by Rs 50 a cylinder and kerosene by Rs 2 a litre.

Petroleum minister S Jaipal Reddy described it as "a minimal increase".