The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government on Wednesday announced a steep hike in fuel prices. It increased the price of petrol by Rs. 5, diesel by Rs. 3 and LPG by Rs. 50 a cylinder, but did not touch kerosene. Almost all Opposition parties, the Left and the UPA's allies criticised the government for the "anti-people' step and threatened to launch nationwide protests. The left parties called for a "powerful, nationwide protest movement' from Thursday till June 11.