While the petrol and diesel prices are at an all-time high, the Central Government hiked prices of liquefied Petroleum Gas (lPG) cylinders on Friday.
As per the revised rates, a consumer will now have to pay Rs 2.33 extra per subsidised cylinder while the non-subsidised lPG cylinder will cost Rs 48 more. This has triggered deep resentment among the consumers.
The lPG price hike was slammed by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress.
“It is unfortunate that when people are already reeling under the burden of skyrocketing oil prices and hike in lPG prices will certainly add to their woes,” said Congress leader Sasmita Behera.
Similarly, BJD general secretary Sanjay Dasburma said, “The Centre has now directly attacked every household and we condemn the hike in the lPG prices.”
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, on the contrary, targeted the State Government and said it is unnecessarily politicising the issue.
“Today, some of my friends created a furore over the hike in non-subsidised lPG cylinders. If the State Government is so concerned then it should inform the GST Council to impose zero tax on lPG,” said Pradhan.
Pradhan further stated that there has been no change in the allotment of subsidised lPG cylinders.
“The consumers, who got a subsidy of nearly Rs 169 per subsidised lPG cylinder in May, will now get a subsidy of Rs 204.95 per new cylinder in June. Is the BJD opposing the hike in subsidyIJ” questioned Pradhan