Opposition leaders criticized the BJP-led Central government for reducing the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders, likening it to a questionable favor. State-owned Oil Marketing Companies have slashed prices by up to Rs 183.5 in major cities, benefiting restaurants, hotels, and commercial users. However, prices for domestic LPG cylinders remain unchanged.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput remarked that the slight reduction in commercial gas cylinder prices after significant hikes seems like a strategic move for praise. He highlighted the burden of inflation on the public, particularly affecting food prices and restaurant owners. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand pointed out the government’s failure to lower petrol and diesel prices despite the global crude oil price drop.
Rajput and Chand emphasized the government’s pattern of raising prices to benefit businesses without returning to original levels. They called for reductions in domestic LPG cylinder, petrol, and diesel prices to alleviate the public’s financial strain. Nayara Energy, India’s largest private fuel retailer, recently cut petrol and diesel prices across its network for the first time since the West Asia tensions eased.
RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari echoed concerns about the government’s price manipulation, stating that the public continues to suffer from widespread inflation.
