The increase in prices of petrol and diesel is unacceptable, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said Sunday, as it called for protests against the hike.
It said in a statement that the prices were hiked by over Rs.3 a litre, "hours after the union budget imposing greater burdens on the people was presented" in parliament Saturday.
"This is the second hike in the prices of petrol and diesel this month. The government, instead of reducing the excise duty, is passing the burdens on to the people.
"This increase in prices of petrol and diesel is unacceptable."