BRS demands rollback of LPG price hike, slams Centre
The BRS has demanded an immediate rollback of the commercial LPG price hike, calling it harmful to workers and businesses. K T Rama Rao said the increase would fuel inflation, impact jobs, and worsen economic stress, while also criticising the Centre and State government.
Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has demanded that the Union Government immediately roll back the commercial LPG cylinder price hike, calling it a severe blow to the poor and working classes. He said the sharp increase of nearly Rs 1,000 per commercial cylinder was unheard of and would hurt the economy.
“Families are already struggling with rising costs. The hike in commercial LPG prices, now around Rs 3,315 in Hyderabad, would hit hotels, eateries and small businesses, putting thousands of jobs at risk. This appears to be Prime Minister Modi’s May Day gift to workers,” the party working president KT Rama Rao remarked, alleging that the move would trigger a spike in food prices and affect every household.
Speaking at May Day celebrations at Telangana Bhavan on Friday, Rama Rao stated that the hospitality sector was already under stress due to global uncertainties and opined that the latest hike would only worsen the situation. He also criticised the increase in smaller LPG cylinders used by low-income groups and bachelors, stating that even basic livelihoods would be affected.
Pointing to the broader economic context, the BRS working president said rising fuel prices and a weakening rupee had pushed inflation across sectors. He accused the Centre of burdening people through taxes and cess, leading to a steep rise in petrol prices from Rs 65 to Rs 110 per litre. “The arbitrary increase in petrol, diesel, and LPG prices has triggered inflation across sectors. How is the common man expected to survive?” he asked, urging the government to roll back LPG, petrol and diesel prices immediately.
Rama Rao also targeted Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, stating that the Congress government in Telangana had failed workers on multiple fronts. He cited incidents such as the SLBC tunnel collapse and the Sigachi fire accident. “While bodies of SLBC tunnel victims are yet to be retrieved, the affected families of Sigachi fire are yet to receive the promised Rs 1 crore financial assistance,” he added.
The former Minister castigated the Chief Minister for attempting to privatise Singareni Collieries Company Limited, TGSRTC and power distribution companies. He charged the government with demolishing houses of the poor and neglecting vulnerable sections. He said auto drivers, toddy tappers, weavers and other workers were no longer receiving the support extended during the previous BRS regime. He also questioned the government’s failure to release retirement benefits to government employees.
Drawing a contrast, Rama Rao said the previous BRS government led by K Chandrashekhar Rao had prioritised worker welfare through schemes and employment generation, including support during the COVID-19 pandemic. He urged both the Centre and the State government to act responsibly and address the growing distress among workers.
