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‘Cylinder Cost Would Have Been Down To Rs 300 If…’: Owaisi Cites G20 Expenses To Slam Centre

August 29, 2023
Bharat Times

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday opined that the slash in LPG prices by the Modi government is “insufficient” as people are grappling with high fuel rates and noted that a lot of money is being spent on the G20 summit to be held in Delhi. This comes as the Union government earlier in the day announced a Rs 200 per cylinder cut in prices of domestic cooking gas, an announcement that is being hailed by the ruling BJP’s leaders while the Opposition parties are dismissing the move.

“This is not enough, prices should have been reduced more. Even today, it is very expensive for the poor when the fuel prices are not lowering. For the G20 Summit, Rs 3.5-4 thousand crore is being spent. If the same money would have been used for gas cylinder, then the price would have come down to Rs 300,” Owaisi remarked.

“Even now prices are high and I don’t this will help the poor,” he added.

Jharkhand Congress leader Bandhu Tirkey remarked that “2024 (Lok Sabha) elections are coming, several such gifts will be offered. This was expected.” He claimed that such measures would be introduced till the next general elections.

Similarly, Congress leader Shakti Singh Gohil hit out at the Union government accusing it of “looting” people by charging high prices for LPG cylinders for the past nine years.

“They (central government) kept on looting the people by selling Rs 400 LPG cylinders at the rate of Rs 1,100 for nine years. The international rates are lesser in the BJP tenure as compared to the Congress. Now, you are staring at defeats in Assembly polls in five states and Lok Sabha elections, you have reduced the prices by Rs 200 and you Mr Modi are making it look like a major gift. People are innocent, but no one can fool them,” he said.

“Reducing the prices by Rs 200 will not benefit you. The way you have looted people by charging Rs 1,100, people will not forgive you for it,” he added.

Currently, a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder in the national capital costs Rs 1,103 which is over double the rate it retailed for in May 2020. The same will cost Rs 903 when the decision comes into effect from Wednesday. The price will be Rs 703 for Ujjwala beneficiaries, considering the continuing Rs 200 per cylinder subsidy.

ALSO READ | ‘2 INDIA Meetings In 2 Months, And LPG Price Has Come Down By Rs 200’: Opposition’s Jibe After Centre’s Move

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