LPG price hike: Congress slams govt over 'whopping rise'

The Congress on Thursday hit out at the government over the steep hike in prices of LPG cylinders even as it mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talk of welfare of the poor and asked if these were supposed to be "Achche Din".

"The ordinary Indian is being ripped apart by Modiji by midnight extortion as LPG cylinders hiked by Rs 86 and small cylinders by Rs 30.50. Are these 'Achche Din'," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

He said the "whopping rise" in LPG cylinder prices tells us that this "Suit Boot Ki Sarkar's" promises to the common man were "all gas and betrayal".

"The PM talks about the poor on one hand and on the other hand, proceeds to increase the price of LPG in one stroke to Rs 86 per cylinder which is unprecedented in India's history. Is this the way you are going to treat India's poor" the Congress leader asked.He said the facts tell their own story as in September 2016, a non-subsidised gas cylinder cost Rs 466, it now costs Rs 737.

"This is really the sixth increase by Modi government of Rs 271 or nearly 58 per cent," he said.

Surjewala said a Prime Minister who speaks about cashless and digital economy has now permitted banks to charge Rs 150 for over four transactions. In 2015, the government permitted banks to impose a Rs 20 transaction tax after 5 ATM transactions and now PM has allowed banks can charge tax of Rs 150 on more than four banking transactions," he said.

He claimed if a poor man or ordinary person who draws Rs 100-200-500 for the fifth time, then a tax of Rs 150 would have to be paid.

"This is when the limit on withdrawal of money from your own bank accounts has not gone. Is that the way you are going to treat the people of this country," he asked.

The price of non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) was hiked by a steep Rs 86 per cylinder last night, reflecting international trends.