Lucknow, 11

March (HS): “A severe LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) crisis has occurred in

India, fueled by growing hostilities in West Asia (Iran-US-Israel), which are

impacting global fuel supply lines. The supply shortage has badly impacted

commercial LPG, producing huge problems for restaurants and hotels,” said Shekhar

Bahuguna, a senior Congress leader and member of the political affairs committee, while addressing a presser on Wednesday. He sharply criticized the

Modi-Yogi (double engine administration) for rising prices and supply

shortages, claiming that policies have resulted in widespread suffering. He

said that the Modi administration had failed to pass on the benefits of

decreasing global crude prices to consumers, instead raising excise levies.

Following

a March 2026 hike of Rs.

60 for domestic LPG cylinders, he has intensified demands for the Modi

government to roll back prices and cut central excise duties. He slammed the move

hiking LPG prices as cruel inflation, urging the government to

provide relief to common citizens via excise cut, which according to him is in

government’s hand. He demanded a reduction in central excise duties on

petroleum products, including LPG, to alleviate the burden on consumers. He argues

that the government should reduce taxes to provide relief to the common man,

particularly in light of the economic strain on households.

He

emphasized how the Modi administration has dramatically hiked central excise

rates on fuel and diesel in recent years. He urged that the central excise levy

on LPG and fuel be reduced in order to bring assistance to the public. He

stated that the increase in natural gas costs will have a cascading impact on

the prices of urea, fertilizer, and power, putting a strain on the pockets of

ordinary people and farmers, in addition to the weight of daily rising fuel and

diesel prices. He also stated that worldwide crude oil prices have fallen by

40% since the Modi government took office. According to him, the price of

petroleum was $107.09/barrel in May 2014 and is now $73/barrel. The average

price per barrel of crude over the last 52 months has been $50, which is

roughly 55% less than it was during the duration of the previous Congress-led

UPA administration. Despite this, fuel and diesel prices continue to climb

under the Modi government.

He further

stated that since May 2014, the Modi Government has hiked 'Central Excise

charge' 12 times, on petrol by 211% and on diesel by 443%, as well as customs

charge, resulting in a Rs. 12 lakh crore fuel loot with the aim of

benefiting Ambani-Adani via Reliance Industries (RIL) and Nayara Energy respectively.

Congress questioned why the national government couldn't reduce excise and

customs duties to offer people with a Rs. 10-15 per litre relief, and urged

that fuel and diesel be subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi