In Kerala, the ruling Left Democratic Front, LDF will be observing hartal on Saturday to protest against the central decision to hike prices of petroleum products. The dawn to dusk hartal is likely to hit normal life in the state. <br/><br/>State Finance Minister Dr Thomas Issac has criticised the hike in prices of petroleum products. He alleged that the move is to benefit private oil companies and a consumer state like Kerala will be severely hit. <br/><br/>Opposition leader of the state Oommen Chandy urged the state government to forego the additional tax revenue likely from the hike and to provide relief to the common man reeling under price rise.