Members of the women, youth, and student wings of the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha gathered at Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar to protest against the recent increase in prices of LPG cylinders and essential goods.
The protest, led by Biju Mahila Janata Dal, Biju Yuba Janata Dal, and Biju Chatra Janata Dal, involved participants symbolically making tea on earthen stoves to emphasize the impact of rising cooking fuel expenses on households.
Senior BJD leader Dr. Lekhasri Samantsinghar criticized the Central government for the significant surge in LPG cylinder prices and other essential items. She highlighted that domestic LPG cylinder prices have gone up by about Rs 60, with commercial cylinders witnessing a Rs 119 hike. Additionally, cooking oil prices have soared to nearly Rs 170 per liter, further straining common households financially.
The BJD leader expressed concerns about the lack of a robust economic and energy security policy in the country. She pointed out that the government’s failure to ensure adequate safeguards for essential supplies is evident in the impact of international developments on domestic prices.
According to the senior BJD leader, the government did not pass on the benefits of reduced global oil prices to consumers in the past. However, whenever international prices rise, the burden is promptly transferred to the public, indicating a lack of effective price stabilization measures.
BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra emphasized that the protests aim to highlight the challenges faced by ordinary households due to escalating fuel costs. He questioned the Odisha government’s response, urging clarity on the actions being taken to shield citizens from price hikes, especially concerning LPG and petroleum products’ availability.
Patra stressed the importance of the government transparently communicating the status of oil and LPG availability to prevent unwarranted speculation among the public, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to address the concerns raised by the price increments.
