Six killed in road accident in Belagavi
Belagavi (PTI): Six persons died in a road accident at Datt Jamboti Road, about 90 km from here, police said on Saturday.
While five persons died on the spot in the mishap which occurred on Friday, another succumbed to the injuries in hospital, they said.
According to police, the accident took place when a car hit a parked two-wheeler and another two-wheeler subsequently as the driver lost control of the vehicle. Two persons who were standing near the parked vehicle sustained severe injuries and were admitted to hospital.
One of them, Hanamant Malappa Malyagol, died in the hospital. The deceased have been identified as Eknath Bhimappa Padtari (22), Mallikarjun Ramappa Marathe (16), Akash Ramappa Marathe (14), Laxmi Ramappa Marathe (19) and Nagapa Laxman Yadavannavar (48). A case of accident was registered by the Murgod police.
Bhimashankar Guled, Superintendent of Police, Belagavi district, said in the last three days as many 25 persons have died in road accidents in the district. He appealed to people to observe traffic rules, avoid speeding and save lives.
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Centre must roll back LPG price hike, says Kerala CM
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday demanded that the Centre immediately roll back the recent steep hike in LPG prices, alleging that it has severely impacted common people and small businesses.
In a statement, Vijayan described the increase as "one of the most cruel" in the history of cooking gas price revisions, saying it has pushed ordinary households and entrepreneurs into distress.
He said the price of commercial LPG cylinders had been raised by Rs 993 in one go, crossing Rs 3,000, which would adversely affect the hotel and restaurant sector.
The hike in the price of 5-kg LPG cylinders by Rs 251.50 would hit migrant workers and small families who depend on them, he added.
The chief minister alleged that the hike came immediately after the conclusion of Assembly elections in states, placing an additional burden on common people, small-scale entrepreneurs and migrant labourers.
Pointing to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, Vijayan said the hospitality sector has already been facing a shortage of cooking gas for months and the latest price increase would be difficult to absorb.
The burden would ultimately be passed on to consumers, he said, warning that several small establishments, including those in Kerala, could be forced to shut down.
Accusing oil companies of prioritising profits over public welfare, he said such a trend of imposing additional financial burden on people cannot be accepted.
Vijayan also alleged that the Centre's policies favour corporate interests and called for a correction in approach.
He urged the Union government to withdraw the excessive hike without delay.
The price of commercial LPG was hiked by the steepest ever Rs 993 per 19-kg cylinder on May 1, marking the third straight monthly increase due to rising global energy prices linked to the West Asia conflict.
