Opposition parties including the BJP and the left have lashed out at the Congress led UPA government for its decision to let the state-owned oil companies' exercise their newly bestowed pricing freedom. The state-run fuel retailers have hiked petrol prices by rupees 1.50 and diesel by 45 paise per litre from Friday midnight by citing the rising global crude oil prices. Venting ire against the Congress, the BJP termed the government's decision as absolutely atrocious. Echoing similar sentiments CPI leader, D Raja also said that the price hike would have a cascading effect on the commoners.
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