New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Opposition leaders on Wednesday took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government after its decision to reduce the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders, calling it a “favour” similar to “taking away someone’s eyes and then donating glasses”.

The reactions came after state-owned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) reduced the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders by up to Rs 183.5 across major cities, effective from July 1, providing relief to restaurants, hotels and other commercial users.

However, domestic LPG cylinders used in homes will continue to be sold at the existing prices.

Speaking to IANS, Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said: “The BJP does a favour on the public by taking away their eyes and then donating glasses. Earlier, the prices went up to around Rs 1,500 or Rs 2,000 per cylinder. The prices of commercial gas cylinders were increased by the Union government and now by reducing the prices by just Rs 183.50, they want to garner praise.”

Rajput also added: “The entire country is reeling under inflation. Food prices have increased; restaurant owners were suffering due to the increased prices.”

Referring to the lowering of global crude oil prices, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand said: “The Centre has still not reduced the prices of petrol and diesel in the country. The prices of commercial gas cylinders were earlier raised continuously and now it has been reduced by only Rs 183.50.”

“When prices of commodities increase under the BJP-led government, it is only to benefit the businessmen and never comes back to what the initial prices were. We think that prices of domestic LPG cylinders and that of petrol and diesel should also be cut,” he added.

However, India’s largest private fuel retailer, Nayara Energy, on Wednesday reduced petrol prices by Rs 5 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre across its nationwide retail network, which is the first cut in retail fuel prices since global crude oil prices began easing following the de-escalation of tensions in West Asia.

Meanwhile, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari echoed similar view, saying: “First they (Centre) increase prices then say that it has been reduced. People are suffering due to inflation across the country.”

–IANS

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