New Delhi, March 8 The CPI(M) on Sunday criticized the government over the steep increase in LPG prices, accusing it of taking an "anti-people" stance by "refusing" to reduce taxes on cooking gas cylinders.
In a statement issued here, the CPI(M) Politburo expressed strong opposition to the price increase, which affects both domestic and commercial consumers.
The Left party noted that the Rs 60 increase for domestic cylinders would heavily impact poor beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme.
"The increase in the prices of commercial cylinders by Rs 114.50 will also ultimately be passed on to consumers. Together, these will impose greater burdens on middle-class and working people who are already struggling with relentless price rises and shrinking real incomes," the statement said.
"The refusal to forgo revenue from taxes on cylinders exposes the anti-people nature of the government," it said.
The Left party dismissed the government's reference to the West Asian conflict as a justification for the hike, calling it a "hypocritical attempt" to hide its own responsibility.
"In reality, it reflects the government's capitulation to the war-mongering policies of the Trump administration and its willingness to serve US global hegemonic interests while ignoring the interests of our country and its people," it alleged.
The CPI(M) has demanded an immediate withdrawal of the price hike.
Domestic LPG prices were increased by Rs 60 per cylinder on Saturday, making it the second such increase in rates in less than a year. Following the revision, an un-subsidized 14.2-kg LPG cylinder in Delhi now costs Rs 913, up from Rs 853, according to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
Over 10 crore Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries will also face the same increase. They will now pay Rs 613 per cylinder, taking into account the Rs 300 subsidy provided for up to 12 refills annually. The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has increased by Rs 114.5.