Kolkata, 07 March (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has called for a protest rally on Sunday against the recent increase in domestic cooking gas prices, sharply criticising the Union government and warning that the move will put an additional burden on common people and the middle class.

Addressing supporters from the protest stage at Dorina Crossing in Kolkata on Saturday, Banerjee said the decision to hike cooking gas prices would worsen the difficulties faced by ordinary households. She questioned the timing of the increase and asked whether the Centre had considered its impact on the public.

The Union government raised the price of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder by Rs 60, effective from midnight on Friday. Following the hike, the price of the cylinder has increased from Rs 879 to Rs 939, with the revised rate coming into effect from Saturday.

In addition, the price of commercial LPG cylinders has been increased by Rs 114.50, taking the cost to Rs 1,990. The hike is expected to increase operational costs for hotels, restaurants and eateries, which could also lead to higher prices for food served outside.

Banerjee said the rise in gas prices was unacceptable and questioned why the Centre had not considered its impact on ordinary citizens before taking the decision.

The Chief Minister announced that a protest march will be held in Kolkata on Sunday. She said she would participate in the rally wearing white, while party leaders and supporters have been asked to wear black as a mark of protest.

She also appealed to women to join the rally carrying kitchen utensils such as ladles and tongs to symbolically protest against the rising cost of cooking gas.

The rally is expected to take place in central Kolkata and is being seen as part of the Trinamool Congress’ broader protest programme against the Centre’s economic policies.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh