Agartala, March 9:
The Opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest rally in Agartala on Monday opposing the recent hike in prices of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders, terming the decision “anti-people” and demanding its immediate withdrawal.
A large number of party supporters along with senior leaders, including former ministers, MPs and MLAs, participated in the protest carrying LPG cylinders and placards to demonstrate against the increase.
The agitation comes after the price of domestic LPG cylinders was raised by ₹60 and commercial cylinders by ₹114.50 earlier this month.
The party alleged that the increase would further burden poor and middle-class families already struggling with rising inflation and living costs. CPI(M) leaders argued that despite global economic pressures, the government has not reduced taxes on cooking gas, thereby increasing the financial burden on consumers.
Addressing the gathering, senior CPI(M) leader and former Minister Manik Dey launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government, claiming that price hikes have become a recurring feature since 2014.
“The BJP government since it came to power in 2014 has been doing price hikes. Their entire job has been to rob people’s pockets, raise prices, and make people miserable. This is the oath with which the BJP’s journey began,” Dey said.
He alleged that the prices of cooking gas and petroleum products have increased “unbearably” over the years and claimed that multiple layers of taxation—both central and state—have pushed prices far beyond actual costs.
Dey also said that the latest hike would affect both households and businesses since commercial gas cylinders are widely used in small enterprises and food establishments. “Because of this, the people are the worst sufferers,” he added.
Speaking to reporters, former MP and CITU leader Sankar Prasad Datta said that the continuous increase in LPG prices is creating serious hardship for ordinary citizens.
“As you all know, the hike in gas prices has been so tremendous that people are facing serious difficulties. Earlier this year the price was increased by ₹50, and now it has been hiked again by ₹60. So in this year alone the price of domestic LPG has increased by ₹110,” Datta said.
He added that the rise in commercial LPG prices would also affect businesses and indirectly push up the cost of goods and services.
The CPI(M) reiterated its demand for an immediate rollback of the price hike and warned that protests would continue if the decision is not withdrawn.
The demonstration also highlighted the continuing confrontation between the Opposition and the central government over rising living costs and inflation.
