On March 31, the Congress launched a strong criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government over a new wave of price increases set to take effect on April 1.
Addressing a joint press conference at the KPCC headquarters in Bengaluru, AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar described the new fiscal year as a "day of exploitation" for the hardworking citizens of the country.
Surjewala stated, "Starting April 1, 2026, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP will impose the 'Bele Erike' (price rise) on Kannadigas, as well as the people of India. This brazen price rise is now a tool used by the BJP to 'exploit', 'plunder', and 'rob' the hardworking people of Karnataka and the nation."
"Starting April 1, the 'highway robbery and pickpocketing' of ordinary citizens requires answers not only from Prime Minister Narendra Modi but also from every BJP leader. Since 2019-20, the central government has collected nearly Rs 23,000 crore from the people of Karnataka through toll taxes and repeated fare increases," he said.
He further stated that this includes: Rs 1,882 crore in 2019-20, Rs 1,866 crore in 2020-21, Rs 2,351 crore in 2021-22, Rs 3,517 crore in 2022-23, Rs 4,086 crore in 2023-24, Rs 4,320 crore in 2024-25, and an estimated Rs 4,600 crore in 2025-26, totaling Rs 22,622 crore.
Surjewala also alleged that the Centre will increase toll tax by 5 per cent, placing an additional burden of nearly Rs 250 crore on the people of Karnataka. He cited the Bengaluru–Mysuru highway as an example, where approximately Rs 900 crore has already been collected since 2023, and this figure will further increase.
Surjewala also claimed that the Centre and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will raise the ceiling prices of over 900 essential drugs, including life-saving medicines used for diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases, starting April 1, 2026.
He further alleged that the MRP for critical last-resort antibiotics used in ICUs, such as Meropenem 500 mg and Meropenem 1000 mg, will be increased. Similarly, prices of coronary stents have also been revised. As many as 31 drugs used for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension will also see similar increases.
He accused the Centre of "profiting from people's misery" and criticized the continued imposition of 12 per cent GST on essential medicines despite demands for exemption.
"Every April 1 has been used to burden the sick and infirm with price hikes. In April 1, 2022, medicine prices were raised by 10.76 per cent. In April 1, 2023, the hike was 12.12 per cent. Now, April 1, 2026, will again see an increase in the prices of over 900 essential drug formulations," he said.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar pointed to rising input costs across various sectors.
"All plastic goods have seen a price surge of up to 50 per cent in March 2026 alone. On March 25, Indian Oil Corporation increased the price of polyethylene by Rs 7,000 per tonne, while polypropylene prices rose by Rs 4,000 per tonne. This directly impacts the cost of packaging materials, bottled products, and FMCG goods. PVC prices have also increased by Rs 6,000 per tonne, affecting irrigation and construction," he said.
He further stated that bitumen prices rose by 30–50 per cent from Rs 45,000 per tonne to Rs 65,000 per tonne, affecting construction activity. He also mentioned that cement prices may rise by Rs 50 to Rs 100 per bag in April.
He also flagged increases in steel prices, stating that hot-rolled steel coils rose from Rs 47,317 to Rs 55,900 per tonne in March 2026, while steel rebar increased from Rs 47,615 to Rs 59,800.
"Prices of key petrochemical by-products used in detergents, dyes, and pharmaceuticals have also risen. Consumer appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and water coolers are expected to become more expensive by 5-15 per cent during March–April 2026," Shivakumar said.
"Furthermore, fuel, gas, and passenger costs have further burdened the common man. Airfares have already risen by 10–15 per cent, with airlines such as Air India and IndiGo introducing fuel surcharges. Domestic LPG prices have increased twice in a month to Rs 913 per cylinder, while shortages have reportedly pushed actual prices higher. Commercial LPG rates have also gone up sharply," he added.
"Additionally, petrol and diesel prices have been hiked, and even Speed Post charges have increased by 34 percent, adding to overall inflationary pressure," he alleged.