New Delhi, June 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded firmly on Sunday to the opposition’s criticism regarding the recent adjustment in domestic cooking gas prices. The party asserted that Indian households continue to enjoy some of the lowest LPG prices in the world.
This statement comes as the opposition condemned the government’s decision to raise the price of domestic LPG cylinders by ₹29. This marks the second price hike in three months, as state-owned oil marketing companies grapple with rising global energy costs.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, emphasized that despite the global energy crisis, the government has managed to keep cooking gas prices remarkably low.
He stated on social media platform X, “Every time there is a slight change in LPG prices, the opposition raises a ruckus. They ignore the fact that Indian households still receive cooking gas at some of the lowest prices globally.”
Malviya further explained that beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana effectively pay ₹642 for a 14.2 kg cylinder, while regular consumers pay ₹942, which is nearly ₹700 less than the actual market cost. In contrast, the international supply cost has now exceeded ₹1,600.
He presented data showing that LPG prices in India are cheaper compared to neighboring countries: Pakistan (₹1,046), Nepal (₹1,207), Bangladesh (₹1,225), Sri Lanka (₹1,241), and even developed nations like the United States (₹1,755), Australia (₹1,765), and Canada (₹2,411).
Malviya noted that global LPG prices have surged by approximately 46% since February, attributed to disruptions in West Asia and issues related to the Strait of Hormuz.
The BJP leader claimed that the ‘under-recovery’ has reached nearly ₹60,000 crore, as public sector oil companies and the central government have absorbed this burden instead of passing it on to consumers.
He mentioned that beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme receive ₹300 directly into their bank accounts per cylinder, benefiting over 10.58 crore families.
Malviya also highlighted that despite global instability, India has ensured uninterrupted LPG supply, increased domestic production, diversified imports, and maintained affordable prices.
He concluded that Ujjwala consumers are receiving LPG at nearly 60% less than international prices, while regular consumers are getting it at about 45% less.
The BJP stated that the real question is not why there was a minor increase, but how the government has succeeded in keeping cooking gas so affordable despite the global energy crisis.
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