TMC Condemns Recent LPG Price Surge, Calls It Burden on Common Citizens

New Delhi’s recent decision to lift LPG cylinder prices by about 10 percent has set off a fresh political firestorm. While the Union government says the move is needed to align with global crude‑oil trends, opposition parties – especially West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) – are painting it as a deliberate strike against the poor.

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out, “When the average family is already struggling with rising food costs and utility bills, the Centre’s decision to hike LPG is nothing short of a cruelty.” She added that the timing was “insensitive” and demanded an immediate rollback.

The price hike, announced by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, will push the standard 14.2‑kg cylinder from ₹1,012 to roughly ₹1,112, according to the latest tariff order. For a typical household that uses LPG for cooking daily, that translates to an extra ₹100‑₹150 every month – a sum that may seem modest but feels heavy when combined with soaring vegetable prices and rent.

Supporters of the hike argue that subsidies have been draining the exchequer and that the global market is simply too volatile to ignore. They point to a recent dip in India’s strategic petroleum reserve and claim that without a price correction, the subsidy model would become unsustainable.

Yet the TMC remains unconvinced. Party spokesperson Dhara Das said, “If the Centre truly cares about the common man, it should explore alternatives – perhaps a targeted subsidy or a phased increase, not a blunt, across‑the‑board hike.” She also urged the Prime Minister to meet with state leaders to discuss a “more compassionate” pricing mechanism.

Meanwhile, ordinary citizens are caught in the crossfire. In a small neighbourhood of Howrah, 45‑year‑old housewife Rupa Sen whispered, “We already cut down on vegetables; now the gas for cooking is also more expensive. It feels like the government forgets us.”

Analysts suggest the debate may spill over into the upcoming Lok Sabha sessions, where budget allocations for subsidies could be hotly contested. For now, the LPG price remains higher, and the TMC’s criticism adds another layer to the ongoing discourse on how India balances fiscal prudence with social welfare.