Kolkata, 07 March (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday called for a protest rally on Sunday in Kolkata against the recent hike in domestic cooking gas prices, criticising the Centre’s decision and saying it would put an additional burden on common people and the middle class.
Addressing supporters from the protest stage at Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata, Banerjee said the increase in LPG prices would create difficulties for ordinary households. She questioned the sudden hike and its impact on the public.
The Centre on Friday midnight raised the price of a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder by ₹60, taking the cost from ₹879 to ₹939. The revised price came into effect from Saturday.
The price of commercial LPG cylinders has also been increased by ₹114.50 to ₹1,990, a move that could raise operating costs for hotels, restaurants and eateries and may lead to higher food prices outside homes.
Banerjee said such an increase in cooking gas prices was unacceptable and asked why the impact on common people had not been considered before taking the decision.
She announced that a protest march would be held in Kolkata on Sunday against the price hike. The chief minister said she would participate in the rally wearing white attire, while party leaders and supporters have been asked to wear black as a mark of protest.
She also appealed to women to join the march carrying kitchen utensils such as ladles and tongs to symbolically protest against rising cooking gas prices.
The rally is expected to be held in central Kolkata and is being projected as part of the Trinamool Congress’ broader protest against the Centre’s economic policies.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
