LPG price hike: Congress takes jibe at Modi govt with comparison between 2014, 2

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday took a jibe at the Centre after the hike in prices of domestic liquified petroleum gas (LPG) by ₹50 per cylinder, saying that it has become out of reach for the poor and middle-class households.

“The cost of subsidised cooking gas has increased by 2.5 times and it has become out of reach to poor and middle-class households,” Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said in a tweet while sharing the price comparison between 2014 and 2022.

With the second rate-hike in less than two months, cooking gas on Saturday became costlier by ₹50 per cylinder pushing the price to over ₹1,000 per 14.2 kg refill in several cities.

Surjewala raised concerns over increasing the price by ₹100 within the last 45 days. The cost was earlier increased by ₹50 on March 22.

Surjewala shared the cost of cooking gas which was ₹414 in May 2014, which has increased by ₹585.50 till now. He demanded to bring down the cost in line with the rate in 2014. He further mentioned that the then Congress government provided ₹39,558 crore worth of LPG subsidy during 2012-13 and ₹46,458 crore in 2013-14.

The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder was increased by ₹102 earlier this month. The cost of a 5-kg commercial LPG cylinder was increased to ₹655.

The price-hike in LPG cylinders is seen at a time when the Consumer Price Index-based retail inflation is predicted to have risen up to 7.7% in April. The surge is also seen as a result of increased geopolitical tensions and the surge in transportation costs due to a hike in fuel prices.

According to experts, the inflation rate is expected to rise above 6% in the entire financial year, which was 6.95% in March.