"Why no protest against Central Government?": Karnataka Minister responds to truckers' strike over diesel prices

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 15 (ANI): As truck owners' associations across Karnataka launched an indefinite strike over rising diesel prices and other regulatory concerns, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Tuesday responded by questioning why protests target only the state government.
The strike was a reaction to the Karnataka government's move to hike diesel sales tax from 18.44 per cent to 21.17 per cent, effective April 1.
Reddy said, "We have increased the price of diesel by Rs 2. We increased the price five to six months back too after our government came to power. What about the Central Government? How many times have they increased the price? Why did they not protest against the Central Government? Why only State Government?"
Truck owners have raised multiple concerns, including the proposed increase in fitness renewal charges for older vehicles and traffic restrictions in Bengaluru during peak hours.
"I agree that it will be a burden for vehicle owners. But simultaneously, Central Government also increased the price of diesel from Rs 49 in 2015 to Rs 92 now. We have not raised about Rs 92... They have some more demands. One is a proposed hike in old vehicle fitness renewal. This is still in draft condition. This is not ours, this is Central Government's proposal," he said.
Addressing traffic-related concerns, the minister said, "Police are restricting vehicles from entering Bengaluru in peak hours because of traffic. This should be solved by Police Department."
He also commented on the demand to abolish toll plazas. "They are asking to abolish State Toll Plaza. But Central Govt also maintains Toll Plaza. They are asking for the abolition of only State Toll Plazas. Why not Central Govt Toll Plazas?"
Reddy assured that the government is open to dialogue. "They are coming (for a meeting). Let them come, we will discuss... We will sit across and discuss."
The Karnataka Government Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed on Monday had criticized the Centre over fuel prices, comparing the current rates with those during the UPA government.
"The Prime Minister should know that in Karnataka, all sections of the society have been given programs, not just minorities... When the UPA government was in the centre, the petrol price was Rs 55/ ltr, now it has crossed Rs 100/ ltr... What have they given to Karnataka?" Ahmed told ANI.
His reaction comes after, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned people against "forgetting the days of Congress rule," saying that before 2014, blackouts were a common occurrence across the country and would still be common if Congress was in power today.
The PM made the comments in Yamunanagar, Haryana, while laying the foundation stone for the developmental project of increasing the capacity of a power plant in the area. (ANI)