Udupi: Udupi Block Congress committee president Ramesh Kanchan has strongly criticised the central government over the recent hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices, alleging that the increase was strategically delayed until the conclusion of elections in five states.
Addressing the issue on May 2, Kanchan described the sharp rise as a major burden on businesses and the general public. He claimed that the sudden hike of Rs 993 in commercial LPG cylinder prices had come as a shock, and demanded that leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clarify the reasons behind such a steep increase.
Allegations of delayed decision and policy mismanagement
Kanchan accused the Centre of deliberately postponing the price revision to avoid political repercussions during the election period. He further alleged that the government has been mismanaging gas supply under the pretext of global conflicts, leading to repeated increases in fuel prices.
Highlighting the trend, he pointed out that commercial LPG prices had already seen successive hikes in recent months. “In March, the price was raised by Rs 114, followed by another increase of Rs 195 in April. Now, in May, the price has surged again by Rs 993, setting what appears to be a new record under Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he alleged.
Impact on businesses and consumers
Kanchan warned that the hike would have a cascading effect on the economy, particularly impacting hotel owners, small businesses, and eateries that rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders. According to him, the increased operational costs would inevitably be passed on to customers.
“This hike will force hotels and eateries to increase the prices of food and beverages, making daily life more expensive for ordinary citizens,” he said, adding that the burden would be felt across various sections of society.
Warning of public backlash
The Congress leader cautioned that continued price increases could trigger public protests against the government. He suggested that people are becoming increasingly aware of what he termed as “political manoeuvring” and may respond through democratic means.
Drawing comparisons with the past, Kanchan remarked that BJP leaders such as Shobha Karandlaje and Smriti Irani, who had previously protested fuel price hikes during Congress rule, are now silent on the issue.
Concerns over possible domestic LPG hike
Kanchan also expressed concern that a similar increase in domestic LPG cylinder prices could follow in the near future, which would directly affect households. He urged the government to take immediate corrective measures to prevent further financial strain on citizens.
Call for rollback
Urging the Centre to reconsider its decision, Kanchan demanded an immediate rollback of the increased prices if the government is genuinely concerned about public welfare. He emphasised the need for transparent pricing mechanisms and better policy planning to protect both businesses and consumers.
Conclusion
The criticism from the Congress leader reflects growing political and public concern over rising fuel costs. As debates over LPG pricing continue, the issue is likely to remain a key point of discussion, especially given its direct impact on everyday expenses and small businesses.