In the 2023-24 Budget, state Finance Minister, K.N. Balagopal has given a shocker to the Keralites by imposing a cess of Rs 2 per litre on petrol and diesel. This has led to several protests in the state with the opposition UDF warning of a series of agitations.
The ruling Left Democratic Front was in a spot following the heavy criticism from across the state and CPI-M state Secretary, M.V. Govindan had met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday. Sources in the CPI-M told IANS that he told the Chief Minister that people, across the state, are unhappy over the cess imposed on petrol and diesel.
The opposition UDF which had announced a series of protests against the imposition of the cess will conduct a meeting on Monday and is likely to hold protest marches on Tuesday.
–IANS
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