Cong takes dig at BJP over LPG price hike

NEW DELHI, 19 May: The Congress slammed the Centre on Thursday over the hike of cooking gas price by Rs 3.5 per cylinder, saying the Narendra Modi government’s “fuel loot” is on every day, in small or big instalments.

Non-subsidised LPG now costs Rs 1,003 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi, up from Rs 999.5 previously, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers.

This is the second increase in the LPG rate this month and the third in less than two months. The price was hiked by Rs 50 per cylinder on 22 March and again by the same quantum on 7 May.

 Slamming the Centre, Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that, after increasing the price of domestic LPG cylinder by Rs 100 in 45 days, it was again hiked by Rs 3.5.

After increasing the price of commercial cylinder by Rs 457.5 in 60 days, it has again been hiked by Rs 8, Surjewala said in a tweet in Hindi.

“Even after making it impossible for about two crore families to refill cylinders for a second time, Modi government’s fuel loot continues every day in small or big installments,” he said.

The Congress leader also attacked the Centre over the fall of the rupee, which extended its losses and slipped 12 paise to 77.74 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday. (PTI)