J Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has urged the union government to withdraw the latest hike in the prices of diesel in the country.

She claimed that the hike in diesel price is unfair as the prices of crude oil in the international market have actually fallen in recent days. She pointed out that since the central government decontrolled the prices of fuel allowing oil firms to set prices based on international prices, the diesel prices have been increased thrice by 45 paise and for the fourth time on Friday by 90 paisa.

"The diesel price hike will have a cascading impact on the prices of essential commodities and would affect the poor and middle class people. The charges of freight vehicles, school vehicles and train fares are likely to go up," she said.

She also pointed out that the oil companies have reduced the price of petrol twice following a reduction in global prices. She said that for the protection of interest of the people, the central government should reintroduce state controlled pricing of diesel in the country. She said that the government should look to control the rising prices of essential commodities in the country.