The opposition party made its point by bringing in two 14.2 LPG cylinders and placing them atop the table during the interaction.
The Congress party, a day after the centre hiked the price of LPG cylinders in the national capital by ₹ 50, slammed “Narendra Modi’s ruthless and immoral government” for “breaking the back of every housewife and common man”.
At a press conference Monday morning, the opposition party made its point by bringing in two 14.2 LPG cylinders – the non-subsidised units of which have seen four price hikes over the past three months- and placing them atop the table during the interaction.
Congress’ spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said: “Narendra Modi’s ruthless and immoral government is not only being unjust to farmers but is now breaking the back of every housewife and common man.”
“In 10 days, the price of LPG (liquified petroleum gas) cylinder has increased by ₹ 75. On February 4 it was increased by ₹ 25 and now from February 15, it has been increased by ₹ 50,” she added.
“Not only this, since December 2020 the price has increased by ₹ 175… in 2 months… you will remember there were two increases of ₹ 50. This cylinder (gesturing to one on the table) which sold in Delhi for ₹ 594 in December, today sells for ₹ 769,” Ms Shrinate said.
The centre presently subsidises buying of 12 cylinders of 14.2 kg each per household every year. However, the customer has to make any additional purchases of LPG cylinders at the market price.
Ms Shrinate said the Congress party demands that the centre roll back the price hikes and the increase in excise duty, which was imposed earlier this month during the union budget presentation.
Hiked for a seventh straight day today, the Congress also flagged petrol and diesel prices.
“As you all know, petrol and diesel prices have crossed ₹ 100… whether it is petrol, diesel or LPG prices, it affects both the rich and the poorest… but the government does not care,” Ms Shrinate said, adding that the centre has raised excise duties a dozen times so far and earned ₹ 24 lakh crore.
The Congress spokesperson said: “The same excise duty in our government was ₹ 3.50 per litre for diesel (it is now ₹ 32 per litre). For petrol, it was ₹ 9 per litre (it is now ₹ 33 per litre). Only by withdrawing this, will the general public will get huge relief.”
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