Concerns are growing among citizens after the recent increase in the prices of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, with many linking the rise to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and saying it will increase financial pressures on poor and middle-class families. The Opposition also criticized the Center over the move, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calling for a protest on Sunday.
Domestic LPG and commercial cylinder prices have been hiked $60 and $114.5 respectively from Saturday, March 7. Industry officials told news agency PTI that the adjustment comes after a sharp rise in global energy prices following the start of the military conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran in West Asia.
Read also | LPG cylinder price rises in India amid Middle East conflict: Check latest prices in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata
The high prices of gas cylinders raise concerns among citizens
Anita, a Delhi resident, spoke about how rising prices have made it difficult to manage living expenses in the national capital. “Our cylinder is not enough for a month… The poor have to face a lot of problems… We consume two cylinders a month,” she told news agency ANI.
In Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a local resident also expressed concerns about the increase, saying it would create difficulties. ” $60 They increased the price of the cylinder. “There are a lot of problems,” she said.
“I went to get the cylinder. $Another resident said, “60 more… Expenses will be more than income if there is inflation.”
Ruplal, a resident of Himachal Pradesh, said the rise in LPG prices would eventually lead to a rise in the cost of other goods and services and worsen conditions for farmers, workers and poor families.
“The prices have gone up so much that the prices of everything will go up. Today, most families depend on gas and vehicles, so when fuel prices go up, it affects everything. Farmers, workers and the poor will suffer the most. In Himachal Pradesh, there is already a financial crisis, and there are limited sources of income. When prices go up like this, it becomes very difficult for common people. The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister must look into the situation because the poor are already suffering due to lack of employment opportunities and high prices,” Ruoplal said. that I.
The opposition targets the center and Mamata calls for protest
The opposition targeted the BJP-led central government over the price hike and said it would directly impact the budgets of ordinary families.
The Congress has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “inflation man”, while Speaker Mamata Banerjee has called on her party’s women’s wing to protest on Sunday, which coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8.
In a post on X, the Congress party accused the Prime Minister of “using the inflation whip” and directly hitting the budgets of ordinary families.
“Inflation man Modi is giving a shock to the people. The Modi government has directly increased the price of domestic LPG cylinders by Rs 60. Meanwhile, for commercial LPG cylinders, you will now have to pay an additional Rs 115. In the last three months, the price of commercial LPG cylinders has increased by Rs 307. Narendra Modi is constantly exercising the inflation whip on the public,” he said. INC wrote on X.
Congress leader Pawan Khera slammed Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and wrote on X: “Yesterday, @HardeepSPuri said: ‘Our priority is to ensure availability of sustainable and affordable fuel for our citizens, and we are doing so comfortably.’ Today, domestic LPG prices rose by $60 and commercial cylinder prices $115. Never believe a word that Hardeep Singh Puri says.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised concerns over new booking rules that require consumers to book gas 21 days in advance.
“Gas prices have gone up again. Now you have to book gas 21 days in advance, so what will you do for 21 days if your house runs out of gas? What will you eat? Will you provide home delivery of food to people? Even the ration of kerosene has been reduced. You are increasing the prices of things every day,” she said while questioning the move.
On the second day of her sit-in to protest the deletion of names during the intensive special review of electoral lists, she said that the Center was raising the prices of liquefied petroleum gas without making alternative arrangements, and described this as an “anti-people tactic.”
“Tomorrow is International Women’s Day. I urge Chandrima (Minister of State and TMC Women’s Wing President Chandrima Bhattacharya) to ask women to organize protest marches against the increase in LPG prices. If necessary, wear black clothes,” she said. “We will protest democratically and peacefully.”
What did the BJP say about the rise in LPG prices
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said the increase was nominal when viewed against the price inflation index and criticized the opposition.
He told the Novosti news agency: “The increase in prices is very nominal according to the price inflation index… Energy prices are rising all over the world… The opposition’s task is to create noise.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that an atmosphere of fear and confusion is being created among citizens.
“Whatever the current situation is, it is being dealt with by the central government. By presenting various speculative news and indicating that this or that is happening, an atmosphere of fear and confusion is being created in the minds of citizens. This is not in the interest of the country or society. The central government made this clear yesterday as well,” he said.
With input from agencies
