Petrol price hike to hit common man

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury Thursday attacked the central government for a sharp hike in petrol prices, saying it would hit the common man.

"The unexpected hike in petrol prices is not justified at a time when the international prices of crude oil are falling," he said here.

Yechury was here to campaign for the party's candidates for the Shimla Municipal Corporation elections slated for May 27.

Petrol prices have gone up by Rs.7.50 a litre.

The Left parties have condemned the petrol price hike as "a savage attack" on people and announced a nationwide protest May 31.