A day after the centre hiked the price of LPG cylinders in the national capital by ₹ 50 – a non-subsidised cylinder will now cost ₹ 769 – the Congress has lashed out at “Narendra Modi’s ruthless and immoral government… is breaking the back of every housewife and common man”.
The opposition party drove its point home at a press conference Monday morning, which began with two 14.2 LPG cylinders – the non-subsidised units of which have seen four price hikes over the past three months – being hoisted atop the briefing table.
“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,” the Congress’ Supriya Shrinate said
“In 10 days, the price of LPG (liquified petroleum gas) cylinder has increased by ₹ 75. On February 4 it was increased by ₹ 25 and now from February 15, it has been increased by ₹ 50,” she added.
“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.
The Congress demands, Ms Shrinate said, that the centre roll back the price hikes and the increase in excise duty, which was imposed earlier this month during the union budget presentation.