Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal called for the immediate rollback of the Rs 60 increase in LPG prices, criticizing the BJP government for burdening the public with inflation. He attributed the price surge to the Central government’s flawed policies and urged the government to revoke the hike instead of exploiting the public under the guise of war.
Sapkal insisted that the Prime Minister address the LPG price matter with all concerned parties and provide a statement in Parliament. He voiced these concerns during a protest in Trimbakeshwar against the gas price escalation and scarcity, where demonstrators denounced the BJP administration.
Pointing out the repercussions of the shortage of commercial cylinders, Sapkal highlighted the adverse impact on small enterprises, hotels, and restaurants, leading to closures. He criticized the state government for claiming to support women financially while simultaneously subjecting them to severe inflation.
During the protest, Sapkal visited a gas distributor’s office to evaluate the situation firsthand and engaged with women collecting cylinders to understand their challenges due to the scarcity. The women expressed frustration over the price surge, emphasizing that the BJP government has significantly raised the cost of living.
Protests against the gas price increase and scarcity were staged in various districts, including Nagpur, Pune, Thane, and others. Additionally, Congress leaders Vijay Wadettiwar and Nana Patole protested at Vidhan Bhavan, demanding the withdrawal of the price hike while symbolically holding gas cylinders.
In response to the situation, the Centre advised consumers against panic buying of petrol, diesel, and LPG, assuring the availability of sufficient stocks nationwide. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry confirmed no reports of fuel shortages at retail outlets and assured regular supplies of petrol and diesel. India’s refining capacity, being self-sufficient in petrol and diesel production, eliminates the need for imports to meet domestic demand, with refineries operating at high levels.
