India observes Nation-wide Strike on July 5th over fuel price hike

In protest against the fuel-price hike, opposition parties in India called a nation-wide strike on July 5, 2010. BJP, Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, JD-U, CPI-M, CPI, Forward Block, RSP, AIADMK, MDMK TDP, BJD, JD(S), AGP, Akali Dal and INLD jointly called the “Bharat Bandh.”

Some opposition parties including the RJD, BSP, LJP and RLD are not participating in the Bharat Bandh.

On July 4, 2010, top leaders of the National Democratic Alliance party decided to stage the strike against fuel price hike and government’s failure to control the price.

The ruling party said that this “Bharat Bandh” is unjustified and it will not change its decision. It said that the opposition party made it a common cause to corner the government.

The authorities have taken all necessary precautions to ensure that no untoward incidents take place during the strike.

The daily life of people will be affected by this strike but emergency services such as milk, water and hospitals has not been closed.

Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, also said that the government would not change its decision in fuel price hike. Petroleum minister, Murli Deora said that strike is “not a solution.”

Pranab Mukherjee further said that though fuel price have been increased government will bear a financial burder of approximately Rs.53,000 crore in the FY 2010-11.