Congress criticizes the government for raising the price of commercial cooking gas cylinders

On Sunday, Congress spoke in the center about the reported price increase for standard 19 kg LPG cylinders and called for the increase to be withdrawn.

Speaking here at AICC headquarters, Congress Chair Alka Lamba also claimed that the center is trying to divert attention from real problems and rising prices by spreading divisive rhetoric.

Ms Lamba attacked the government, saying that the price of commercial gas cylinders was raised by ₹105 on March 1st, increased by ₹250 on April 1st and increased again by ₹102.5 on May 1st.

In eight months, the price of standard LPG cylinders has increased by £618.50, she said.

According to media reports, the commercial 19kg bottle would now cost £2,355.50 in Delhi compared to £2,253 per bottle.

Ms Lamba said the poor and working class were repeatedly attacked with price hikes.

“The concern is greater as a survey by the Center for Monitoring the Indian Economy says nearly 2.1 million jobs have been lost and 45 million people have given up looking for jobs after losing all hope,” she said.

The biggest attack is on Indian women, of whom almost 9% are still employed, she added.

Ms Lamba said the country is going through a “modi-caused disaster” as it faces massive coal shortages and people suffer from power outages in the sweltering heat.

“Oil and diesel prices are not falling either. Rather than attacking inflation, the Modi government is prioritizing attacks on Congress and Rahul Gandhi,” she claimed.

With all the problems facing the country, this “insensitive” government stands as a “silent spectator,” she said.

“We will continue to raise the issue of rising prices and force the government to rise above the welfare of its capitalist friends. We demand that this price increase be reversed,” Ms. Lamba said.

“Every time before a festival, instead of giving a gift, this government attacks people with price hikes,” she claimed.