Statements by CPI & CPI(M) on the Price Hike of Gas Cylinders

CPI Condemns LPG Price Hike: Demands Subsidy Restoration and Cylinders for the Poor

The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India issued today (April 8, 2025) the following statement:

CPI condemns the Modi government’s decision to hike the price of LPG by Rs 50 per cylinder. This increase raises the burden on Ujjwala scheme beneficiaries from Rs 500 to Rs 550, and on general consumers from Rs 803 to Rs 853. At a time when millions are already struggling under soaring food inflation, high fuel costs and falling incomes, this move is yet another attack on the livelihood of the working people.

Ever since the BJP came to power, LPG prices have seen a consistent rise, even during periods when global crude oil prices have remained historically low. Instead of passing the benefit to the people, the Modi regime has diverted it to benefit oil companies and private corporates. The complete erosion of the LPG subsidy system has left the poor and middle classes vulnerable to market volatility and state apathy.

Adding to this, the government has once again hiked excise duties on petrol and diesel, even as the economy is facing turbulence. The recent stock market crash, triggered by global recession fears and the Trump administration’s tariff threats, reflects the government’s failure to protect India’s economy from external shocks.

The CPI demands that a consumer-oriented subsidy of Rs 250 per LPG cylinder be reinstated for general consumers immediately. For those under the Below Poverty Line category and enrolled in the PM Ujjwala Scheme, at least six cylinders per year must be provided without payment. Access to clean cooking fuel is not a luxury—it is a basic necessity and a right.

The Modi government’s anti-people economic policies are deepening inequality, fuelling mass distress and pushing millions into hardship. The CPI calls upon all progressive and democratic forces to unite in opposing this assault on the common people.

(Roykutty)
Office Secretary

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The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

Protest the Price Hike of Gas Cylinders

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemns the huge increase in the price of gas cylinders and the imposition of special excise duty on petrol and diesel.

The Union government announced a Rs 50 hike in the price of gas cylinders for both general and subsidised categories, burdening the people by around Rs. 7,000 crores. Further, the government increased the special excise duty of petrol and diesel to the tune of Rs. 32,000 crores.

The rise in gas prices are bound to have a crippling impact on the already burdened lives of the people due to inflation. Instead of passing the benefits of falling international prices of oil and gas to the people, the government is imposing additional burdens. In the name of special excise duty, it wants to accrue all the revenues for itself violating the federal principles.

The CPI(M) demands the government to immediately rollback the prices and calls upon all its units to protest against this decision of the central government.