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 opposition¹ 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, diesel² 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.