Chennai, May 3 (IANS) Left parties in Tamil Nadu have announced statewide protests on May 7 against the steep rise in commercial LPG cylinder prices and the reported reduction in railway posts, accusing the Union government of burdening the poor and undermining employment opportunities.

In a joint statement, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation said demonstrations would be held in front of central government offices in all district headquarters across the State.

The parties alleged that the price of commercial LPG cylinders has witnessed an “unprecedented” increase in recent months. “Within the last 120 days, the price has gone up by Rs 1,518. A cylinder that cost Rs 1,739 on January 1 this year is now priced at Rs 3,257, almost doubling in cost,” the statement said. The hike, they argued, has severely affected small businesses, street vendors, migrant workers, and lower-income households that rely on such cylinders for their livelihoods.

The statement also highlighted a Rs 261 increase in the price of 5-kg cooking gas cylinders, commonly used by economically weaker sections, calling it an added burden on vulnerable communities.

While attributing the hike to global LPG price trends, the parties accused the Centre of failing to pass on the benefits to consumers when international crude oil and gas prices declined in recent years.

“Over the past four years, despite a significant fall in global prices, there has been no meaningful reduction in petrol, diesel, or cooking gas prices,” they said.

The Left parties further criticised a reported circular issued by the Railways on April 24, 2026, which allegedly proposes a 2% annual reduction in total posts.

They claimed that over 28,000 positions were cut last year and more than 29,000 jobs could be reduced this year, including 1,906 posts in Southern Railway.

The statement accused the government of failing to fill over 3 lakh vacancies out of the 14 lakh sanctioned railway posts. Raising broader concerns over unemployment, the parties said nearly 10 lakh vacancies remain unfilled in central government departments and public sector undertakings.

“Reducing existing jobs after promising employment to crores of youth is a betrayal,” the statement added.

The parties demanded an immediate rollback of the LPG price hike and withdrawal of the proposed job cuts, urging the public to join the protests against what they termed “anti-people policies” of the Centre.

–IANS

aal/uk