SP,Left,others to launch nationwide protest on Sept 20

Parties to protest against FDI in multi-brand retail and hike in diesel prices.

In a bid to mount pressure on UPA government,allies Samajwadi Party and JD(S) will join Left parties,BJD and TDP for a nationwide “powerful” protest next Thursday to oppose the decision to allow foreign players in retail and hike in diesel prices.

In a joint statement,SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and others alleged that the UPA government has “stuck cruel blows on the people one after another” by raising diesel price,limiting subsidised cooking gas,opening up of multi-brand retail and disinvestment of PSUs.

The joint statement,however,does not mention about yesterday’s government decision allowing FDI in aviation and broadcasting.

Story continues below this ad

“Let us all unite to stop these measures which will further burden the people and ruin their livelihood. Let there be a powerful protest on September 20 through hartals,picketing,demonstrations and court arrest programmes,” the statement said.

Besides Yadav,the statement was signed by H D Deve Gowda (JD-S),Prakash Karat (CPI-M),S Sudhakar Reddy (CPI),Naveen Patnaik (BJD),Chandrababu Naidu (TDP),Debabrata Biswas (Forward Bloc) and T J Chandrachoodan (RSP).

SP and JD(S),which are supporting the UPA government from outside,have been critical of the government’s decisions. They along with Left parties had earlier written a joint letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on price hike issue.

“It (UPA) has raised the price of diesel by Rs 5 per litre,burdening the farmers. It has limited subsidised gas cylinder per family to six and the rest will have to be bought at market price which is more than double.

Story continues below this ad

“It has opened multi-brand retail trade to foreign supermarket chains,endangering livelihood of more than four crore people involved in retail trade and the mass of consumers. It is selling off shares of profitable PSUs and navaratna companies like NALCO and Oil India,” the statement said.

Asking public to protest the “anti-people measures”,the leaders appealed to farmers,workers,women,youths,transporters,shopkeepers,traders organisations and all “patriotic-minded citizens” to join the movement.

H-1B $100,000 entry fee explained: Who pays, who’s exempt, and what’s still unclear?

Explained1 min ago

The White House's decision to impose a $100,000 entry fee on H-1B visa holders has sparked worry among Indian tech workers and students. While uncertainties remain about its implementation and exemptions, major tech companies have cautioned employees against traveling. The policy could lead to a shift towards other visa categories and potentially change the STEM immigration pipeline.

View all shorts

Live Blog