New Delhi, June 7 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Opposition for “crying foul” over the revision in the LPG prices, while asserting that Indian households continue to get cooking gas at among the lowest prices in the world.

This came amid the Opposition’s criticism of the government as domestic cooking gas prices were increased by Rs 29 per cylinder, marking the second hike in three months as state-owned oil marketing companies continue to face pressure from elevated global energy costs.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said the government has managed to keep cooking gas so affordable despite a global energy shock.

Defending the Rs 29 hike in domestic 14.2 kg LPG cylinder prices, he presented gas rates of the neighbouring countries and drew comparisons with India.

Taking to X, Malviya said, “Every time there is a small revision in LPG prices, the Opposition cries foul. What they conveniently ignore is that Indian households continue to get cooking gas at among the lowest prices in the world.”

He further mentioned that today, a beneficiary of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) pays an effective Rs 642 for a 14.2 kg cylinder. He said that the general customer pays Rs 942, “nearly Rs 700 below the market-linked cost”, against the international cost to supply which has now risen to over Rs 1,600.

Presenting figures, the BJP leader said that India is cheaper than neighbours — Pakistan (Rs 1,046), Nepal (Rs 1,207), Bangladesh (Rs 1,225), Sri Lanka (Rs 1,241) and developed nations like the US (Rs 1,755), Australia (Rs 1,765), and Canada (Rs 2,411).

“The reality is simple. Global LPG prices have surged by nearly 46 per cent since February because of disruptions in West Asia and the Strait of Hormuz. India imports a large share of its LPG, yet the government has shielded consumers from the full impact of these increases,” Malviya said.

He asserted that the “under-recovery” on domestic LPG has risen to nearly Rs 60,000 crore, because, he claimed, the public sector oil companies and the Centre “absorbed the burden instead of passing it on to households”.

“Ujjwala beneficiaries continue to receive Rs 300 per cylinder directly into their bank accounts, benefiting more than 10.58 crore families,” he said.

Despite unprecedented volatility in global energy markets, Malviya said that India ensured “uninterrupted LPG supplies, prevented shortages, expanded domestic production, diversified imports, and kept prices affordable”.

The facts, the BJP IT cell chief said, are clear. “Ujjwala consumers receive LPG at nearly 60 per cent below the international price. Regular consumers receive LPG at about 45 per cent below the international price. Indian households pay less for cooking gas than households in neighbouring countries and far less than consumers in advanced economies.”

“The question is not why there has been a modest increase. The real question is how the government has managed to keep cooking gas so affordable despite a global energy shock. That is the story the Opposition does not want to tell,” Malviya added.

–IANS

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