Congress on Monday lashed out at the Centre and termed the massive hike in prices of LPG cylinders as “Narendra Modi’s ruthless act” and called it an immoral Government which is breaking the back of every housewife and common man”. The Congress demanded the roll back of the price hikes and the increase in excise duty, which was imposed earlier this month during the Union Budget presentation. The party also flagged petrol and diesel prices; both were hiked for a seventh straight day.
“Narendra Modi’s ruthless and immoral Government is not only being unjust to farmers, but is now breaking the back of every housewife and common man,” Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said at a Press conference a day after the centre hiked the price of LPG cylinders in the national capital.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also spoke out against the price hike, accusing the Narendra Modi government of “looting from the public”.
“In 10 days, the price of LPG (liquified petroleum gas) cylinder has increased by ` 75. On February 4 it was increased by rs 25 and now from February 15, it has been increased by `50,” Shrinate said.
“Not only this, since December 2020 the price has increased by by `175... in 2 months... you will remember there were two increases of `50,” she added, “This
cylinder (gesturing to one on the table) which sold in Delhi for `594 in December, today sells for ` 769.”
Presently, the centre subsidises purchase of 12 cylinders of 14.2 kg each per household every year. The customer has to make any additional purchases of LPG cylinders at the market price.
“As you all know, petrol and diesel prices have crossed `100... whether it is petrol, diesel or LPG prices, it affects both the rich and the poorest... but the Government does not care,” she said, pointing out the centre has raised excise duties a dozen times so far and earned `24 lakh crore.
“The same excise duty in our Government was `3.50 per litre for diesel (it is now `32 per litre). For petrol it was Rs 9 per litre (it is now `33 per litre). Only by withdrawing this, will the general public will get huge relief,” the Congress spokesperson said.