Sharp rise in LPG, Petrol and diesel prices just before Navratri left the public dumbfounded, Congress swoops in and demands a decline in such sky-high prices.
On October 6, the fee-paying LPG ( Liquid Petroleum Gas) price increased by ₹15 following international fuel prices.
In Delhi, a non-subsidized 14.2 kg cylinder will cost ₹899.50 — which was earlier priced at ₹884.50 per cylinder.
The 14.2 kg cylinders previously cost ₹911 in Kolkata and ₹900.50 per cylinder in Chennai, according to the information of Indian Oil Corporation.
Present rates are yet to be determined in other metropolitans apart from the national capital. The public oil companies — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindu Petroleum Corporation — have declared the new prices effective October 6.
Simultaneously, the price of petrol also increased across four major metropolitan cities. In Delhi, the price increased by 30 paise per litre, and now it is being sold at ₹102.9 litres per litre. On the other hand, the diesel rate increased by 35 paise and traded at ₹91.4 per litre.
Congress’s protest
Congress heavily criticizes on the soaring prices of fuels as they protest the hike on Thursday.
Congress spokesperson Alka Lamba theatrically “prayed” to an empty Liquified Petroleum Gas cylinder just after the conference on the problem of price rise ended at the party headquarters.
During the press conference, Lamba demanded that the Union Government reduce the petrol, diesel, and cooking gas rates to relieve the people before the festive season.
She also requested the Government to keep the price of petroleum products low during all nine days of Navratri.
She bashed the Modi government over the pricing issue and claimed that diesel and petrol had seen price hikes at least nine times between September 24 and October 7.
The Ministry of Petroleum shows data where crude oil is USD 80.75 per barrel, whereas the previous price was USD 140 per barrel during Congress administration.
Yet, the retail prices of petroleum products were lower then than it is at present. Lamba presented how difficult it must be for women,
Significantly as their home budgets get destabilized with continuous price rise, and now the price is about to reach ₹1000 or more in many states.
Congress spokesperson also raised some serious questions regarding the Modi-Shah government’s efficacy regarding the rising concern.
She mentions that the fuel subsidy granted by the Government was a trifling ₹108 crore in the first half of 2021-22.
Prime Ministers’ “homework” to light 19 lakh lamps during Diwali to please Lord Ram, while oil price crossing ₹200 per litre, is highly ridiculed and condemned by her.
More criticisms by Congress
In the press conference, Lamba also questioned the Government’s expenditure as it has earned as much as ₹24 lakh crore from petrol and diesel.
More criticism poured in from the senior leader of Congress, Digvijaya Singh. She is the head of a party panel that plans agitation.
Singh took to Twitter to express her thoughts and attack the Government on price rise. She believes that the Modi-Shah government is “taking money” from the pockets of ordinary people for their benefit.
The hard-earned money is being serpent on big private corporations, thats according to her.
International prices of fuel
Currently, global benchmark Brent has increased crude oil prices at $82.53 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate hiked up to $78,87 a barrel.
For the fifth consecutive day, U.S oil prices rose and are at their highest since 2014 amid global concerns on energy supply.
