The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu will join political parties, trade unions and other orgnaisations to oppose the hike in the prices of petrol and diesel, its president A.M. Vikramaraja said here on Tuesday.
Addressing media persons after holding consultations with State, zonal and district unit functionaries, Mr. Vikaramaraja blamed the price rise on high taxation by the Central and State governments.
While the citizens were made to suffer, the products were being exported at less than half the cost, he said, slamming the Central and State governments for what he called as injustice.
A State-wide protest would be conducted soon demanding rollback of the price hike in petroleum products. The date would be announced shortly, he said.
Questioning the Centre’s policy of increasing excise duty on an annual basis, Mr. Vikramaraja said no action was being taken to reduce the number of toll stations or improving the condition of roads.
The trading section had been hit hard due to demonetisation of currencies of ₹500 and ₹2,000 denominations.
Thousands of traders from Tamil Nadu would take part in the rally in New Delhi on December 16 demanding withdrawal of the Food Security Act and sales tax amendment by the Centre.
The State Government must implement the proposed ban on plastic materials from January 1, 2019, only after ensuring that alternative packaging materials were made available, he added.
During the meeting, the participants flayed the Central Government for permitting foreign direct investment in retail trade. The Centre had gone back on its promise it had made in the interests of small traders earlier.