'Cruel Diwali gift': Shiv Sena (UBT) attacks Centre over CNG, commercial LPG price hikes

The Shiv Sena UBT on Monday criticised the Centre over the latest increases in compressed natural gas CNG and commercial liquefied petroleum gas LPG prices calling them a ldquocruel Diwali giftrdquo to citizens already facing inflation and financial hardshipIn an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana the Uddhav Thackerayled faction accused the government of adding to the financial burden on ordinary households and farmers amid drought conditions in MaharashtraThe editorial questioned the timing of the price increases arguing that they would affect household budgets and raise the cost of goods and services during the festive seasonParty cites drought and financial distressThe editorial highlighted the difficulties faced by farmers and residents across Maharashtra alleging that drought conditions had left many families struggling to meet their basic expensesAlmost the entire state of Maharashtra is scorched by a severe drought Farmers have no crops in their fields and common citizens have no money left in their pockets People were holding onto their modest savings hoping to bring a little sweetness into their childrenrsquos lives during Diwali However the governments hike in CNG and Commercial LPG rates has poured cold water over those last remaining hopes claimed the editorialIt also questioned whether the governmentrsquos decisions would prevent people from celebrating the festivalThe editorial asked Do the rulers want the public to refrain from celebrating Diwali altogether this yearCNG and commercial LPG prices raisedThe party pointed to the latest revisions in fuel prices across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region MMR saying they would add to the expenses of households and businessesIn the Mumbai Metropolitan Region MMR CNG prices have been increased by Re 1 per kg marking the 6th price hike in the last 6 months alone Commercial LPG cylinder prices have been raised by Rs 10 it saidThe CNG increase took effect from November 1 with the revised rate in Mumbai and adjoining areas reaching Rs 90 per kgThe editorial argued that higher commercial LPG prices could also affect consumers who do not directly purchase commercial cylindersParty questions impact on food and festive expensesThe Shiv Sena UBT also criticised the governmentrsquos decision to keep domestic LPG cylinder prices unchanged while increasing commercial ratesThe editorial argued that commercial gas price increases could raise operating costs for hotels restaurants and other food businesses potentially making meals and festive purchases more expensive for consumersIt cited the cost of dining out restaurant meals and readymade Diwali snacks and sweets as examples of expenses that could be affectedThe party also recalled an earlier increase of Rs 1000 in commercial LPG cylinder prices in May alleging that subsequent reductions had provided little lasting reliefThe editorial described the latest increase as another setback for consumers already dealing with rising household expensesInflation and interest rates cited as concernsThe editorial linked the financial pressure on households to rising food prices drought conditions and the conflict involving Iran and the United StatesDriven by drought conditions and the IranAmerica conflict food inflation has hit a staggering 774 per cent Prices of daily staples pulses and grains have escalated to the point where they feel like luxury items The Reserve Bank of Indias RBI decision to raise the repo rate has pushed up interest rates leading to higher EMIs across all personal loans and mortgages remarked the editorialThe food inflation figure of 774 per cent corresponds to the provisional yearonyear rate for September 2026 released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation The Reserve Bank of India raised the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 550 per cent in OctoberThackeray camp accuses Centre of political timingThe party also alleged that fuel prices had been kept artificially low ahead of elections in five states and increased after the polls concludedFuel and commodity prices were artificially held back for political selfinterest until elections in five states concluded Now the horse of inflation has broken loose Rulers who boasted about reining in fuel prices despite global Gulf War tensions have turned completely unbridled regarding inflation postelections While the Prime Minister urges citizens to practice austerity the government creates a system that leaves no money in the publics pockets it alleged