LPG price hikes: Govt would pay 'political price', claims Sharad Pawar

NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday criticised the Centre over the latest increase in domestic LPG prices alleging that rising inflation and repeated hikes in essential commodities were placing a growing burden on citizens and could have political consequences for the governmentPawars remarks came after the price of domestic cooking gas cylinders was increased by Rs 29 marking the second hike in the last three months amid elevated global energy costsPawar Questions Centres Claims on Inflation ControlSpeaking to reporters in Kolhapur the veteran politician questioned the governments assertion that inflation was under controlAccording to Pawar people across the country continue to face financial pressure due to rising prices of essential goods and services He argued that repeated increases in household expenses are affecting family budgets and creating difficulties for ordinary citizensReferring to the governments position on inflation Pawar remarked that controlling prices should not mean imposing recurring financial burdens on consumers through incremental increases in essential commoditiesHe also suggested that those responsible for the rising cost of living could face political repercussions in the futureLPG Prices Raised for Second Time in Three MonthsThe latest increase of Rs 29 per domestic LPG cylinder follows a Rs 60 hike announced on March 7The earlier revision came after escalating tensions and conflict in West Asia affected global energy markets contributing to higher international fuel prices Stateowned oil marketing companies have cited elevated global energy costs as one of the reasons behind recent revisions in domestic fuel and LPG pricesThe successive increases have triggered criticism from opposition parties which argue that rising fuel and cooking gas prices are adding to inflationary pressuresCongress Joins Criticism Over Price RiseMaharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also criticised the BJPled governments at the Centre and in the state over the latest LPG price hikeIn a statement Wadettiwar alleged that BJP leaders had actively protested increases in cooking gas prices when they were in the opposition but were no longer displaying the same level of concern after coming to powerHe claimed that repeated increases in LPG and fuel prices were affecting households across income groups particularly middleclass and economically weaker familiesConcerns Over Rising Fuel CostsWadettiwar pointed out that commercial LPG cylinder prices have witnessed substantial increases in recent months He also referred to periodic revisions in petrol diesel and compressed natural gas CNG prices over the yearsAccording to the Congress leader rising fuel costs have a cascading effect on transportation household expenditure and the prices of essential goods thereby increasing the overall burden on consumersOpposition Targets Government Over Cost of LivingThe latest LPG price hike has once again become a political issue with opposition parties using it to question the governments handling of inflation and the rising cost of livingOpposition leaders contend that inflation continues to affect household finances despite official assurances that price pressures are being managed They argue that increases in cooking gas and fuel prices have a direct impact on millions of families across the countryGovernment Cites Global Energy Market PressuresWhile opposition parties have criticised the price revisions oil marketing companies have linked the increases to fluctuations in international energy markets and higher import costsGlobal crude oil prices and geopolitical developments particularly in energyproducing regions continue to influence domestic fuel pricing decisions in IndiaThe debate over fuel prices and inflation is expected to remain a key political issue as opposition parties intensify their criticism of the Centre over the rising cost of living and its impact on consumersWith inputs from PTI