Mumbai, June 7: NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the latest increase in LPG prices, warning that the government would have to bear the political consequences of rising inflation and the growing burden on households.
Addressing reporters, Pawar said repeated increases in the prices of essential commodities were putting immense pressure on ordinary citizens and questioned the Centre's claim that inflation was under control.
“The hike may have begun with just a few rupees, but over time these increases have accumulated significantly. Today, the impact on the finances and day-to-day lives of common people is clearly visible,” Pawar said.
The veteran leader recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier promised to keep inflation in check. However, he alleged that the government’s approach now appeared to be one of introducing price increases gradually while claiming the situation remained under control.
“Those responsible for these decisions will ultimately have to pay a political price,” Pawar remarked while responding to questions on the latest LPG price revision.
Joining the criticism, Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the BJP of adopting a double standard on the issue of inflation. He said BJP leaders frequently protested fuel and cooking gas price hikes during the UPA government, but had remained silent despite multiple increases since coming to power.
In a statement, Wadettiwar claimed that prices of commercial LPG cylinders had risen substantially in recent months, while petrol, diesel and CNG rates had also undergone several upward revisions over the years. He said escalating costs were severely affecting household budgets, particularly those of middle-class and economically weaker families.
The latest revision has raised the price of domestic LPG cylinders by Rs 29 per cylinder, marking the second increase in the past three months. The hike follows an earlier Rs 60 increase announced on March 7, after tensions and conflict in West Asia disrupted global energy markets and pushed up international fuel prices.
Defending the decision, the Union government on Sunday stated that Indian consumers continue to pay among the lowest cooking gas prices globally despite a sharp surge in international LPG rates triggered by the ongoing West Asia crisis.
According to an official statement, the cost of supplying a domestic LPG cylinder has crossed Rs 1,600 due to a steep rise in global prices following the outbreak of conflict in the region.
The government noted that India's LPG import costs are linked to the Saudi Contract Price (CP), the international benchmark for LPG. Since February, the benchmark has reportedly increased by around 46 per cent, largely due to supply disruptions associated with tensions around theStrait of Hormuz, a key energy transit route in the Gulf region.
