The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Sunday organised a protest here against the LPG price hike and criticised the proposed Indo-US trade deal, alleging that the decisions would adversely affect the common people as well as the country’s economy.
The protestors demanded the rollback of the LPG cylinder price hike of Rs.60.
The rally was organized on Womens Day.
Under the leadership of JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra and working president Raman Bhalla, a large number of party activists, including women participated in the rally. Carrying placards and banners, the Congress workers raised slogans against the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and criticised what they described as the government’s “surrender” in the Indo–US trade negotiations.
The protesters alleged that the continuous rise in the prices of essential commodities, particularly cooking gas, has added to the financial burden on ordinary households.
Addressing the gathering, JKPCC chief Tariq Hamid Karra termed the Indo–US trade deal a “major blow” to the country’s economic interests. He said that instead of safeguarding the nation’s economic and strategic priorities, the Centre had bowed to pressure from the United States.
Karra said the recent LPG price hike had come soon after promises made to women on the occasion of International Women’s Day, calling the decision “cruel” and insensitive to the struggles of ordinary families.
He also expressed concern over the possible implications of the India-US trade agreement for the agriculture and dairy sectors. According to Karra, provisions relating to agricultural and dairy imports could expose farmers and producers in Jammu and Kashmir to competition from cheaper foreign products.
He warned that orchardists and dairy farmers in the Union Territory could be severely affected if safeguards are not put in place. “Our apple growers, walnut producers and small dairy farmers could face serious challenges if cheap imports enter the market without minimum support guarantees,” he said, demanding that the Centre immediately roll back the LPG price hike and present a White Paper on the trade deal in the Parliament.