Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Slams Central Govt's LPG Hike as ‘Anti‑People’ Move

New Delhi’s decision to raise the retail price of a 14.2‑kg LPG cylinder by about ₹100 has ignited a fresh wave of discontent across the country, but the backlash was especially sharp in Kerala.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, speaking at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, blasted the move as "completely anti‑people". He argued that the hike would hit the poorest sections of society hardest, eroding the limited savings many households cling to after months of battling soaring food and fuel costs.

"The central government is playing politics with the livelihoods of ordinary citizens," Vijayan said, his tone a mix of frustration and resolve. "When the nation is already grappling with inflation, adding an extra burden on LPG—a daily necessity for most families—does nothing but deepen their woes."

The state government, which runs its own subsidised LPG scheme for below‑poverty‑line families, warned that the price jump could force many to revert to kerosene or, worse, abandon clean‑cooking altogether. Such a shift would not only jeopardise health outcomes but also undermine environmental goals.

Opposition parties in Kerala echoed the chief minister’s sentiment, calling the hike "politically motivated" and demanding that the Centre reconsider. Trade unions threatened to stage protests at fuel depots, while consumer groups prepared petitions demanding a rollback.

Meanwhile, the Union Ministry defended its decision, citing a surge in global crude prices and the need to replenish the dwindling LPG stockpile. Officials maintained that the increase was modest and that the central government would continue to provide targeted subsidies to the most vulnerable.

As the debate rages on, ordinary families in Kerala find themselves caught in the cross‑fire, weighing whether to stretch their budgets or switch to less efficient cooking fuels. The episode underscores the delicate balance between fiscal policy and social welfare in a country still reeling from pandemic‑induced economic shocks.