Fuel Protests in India

A general strike left the streets of some cities deserted

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Background: 印度共产党和反对党双双抗议政府新颁布就燃油价格提高10%的政策。政府解释说由于世界燃油紧缺，燃油价格节节攀升，所以被迫提高燃油价格。印度每年需要进口75%的原油来满足需求，同时政府会给予补助已控制原油产品价格。

Listen to Sanjoy Majumder's' report 点击此处下载录音材料

Life in the eastern states 东部一省 of West Bengal and Tripura has been badly disrupted （使）严重混乱 after a strike call 罢工活动 by the Communist parties to protest against the hike in fuel prices 燃油价高涨.

Schools and businesses are closed and train and air services have been cancelled.

The Communists as well as the main opposition 主要反对党 BJP are also holding protest marches 抗议游行 in the capital Delhi and other cities across the country.

On Wednesday, the cabinet 内阁 announced a 10% increase in the price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.

It said the move was necessary because state-owned oil companies 国有石油公司 were losing millions of dollars every day because of the increase in global oil prices 世界原油价格.

But the move has been criticised by political parties as well as business who say it'll increase inflation 提高通货膨胀 which is already at its highest level in four years.

India's Congress Party-led government faces key state polls 关键的地方（选举）投票 this year ahead of general elections 大选 which are due in 2009 and is now concerned about the political fallout （附带）政治后果 of its latest move.

eastern states 东部一省

badly disrupted （使）严重混乱

strike call 罢工活动

hike in fuel prices 燃油价高涨

main opposition 主要反对党

protest marches 抗议游行

the cabinet 内阁

state-owned oil companies 国有石油公司

global oil prices 世界原油价格

increase inflation 提高通货膨胀

key state polls 关键的地方（选举）投票

general elections 大选

political fallout （附带）政治后果

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