Chandigarh, Jul 3 (IANS): Commercial activity across Punjab is likely to be affected Monday with the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine calling for a shutdown to protest the recent hike in fuel prices.

All shops, markets and commercial establishments across Punjab would remain closed till 1 p.m. July 4 to protest the failure of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the centre in tackling spiralling prices, senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said here Sunday.

"The (Congress-led) UPA government's nexus with the oil companies in looting the people has been fully exposed and mass protests by the public against this would force the centre to roll back hike in the prices of petroleum products," Cheema said.

The government had recently announced a hike in diesel and kerosene prices by Rs.3 and Rs.2 respectively. The cooking gas price was hiked by Rs.50 per 14.4 kg cylinder.

Police have made security arrangements across the state to ensure that the shutdown remains peaceful.

A high-level delegation of both parties led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would meet Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil Wednesday to present a memorandum addressed to the president of India to pressurise the UPA government to roll back the increase in fuel prices, Cheema said.

The delegation will include top leaders of both parties, all members of parliament and legislators.

Elections to the 117-member Punjab assembly are due February-March next year.