New Delhi, April 12 (H.S.): On Saturday, members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protested against the recent increase in excise duty on petrol and diesel, as well as rising prices for CNG and LPG, attributing the economic mismanagement to the Narendra Modi government. The demonstration was held at the IYC office on Raisina Road, where participants raised slogans criticizing the BJP-led government for fuel and cooking gas prices soaring despite falling international crude oil rates.

A protester highlighted that under Modi’s administration, the economy is in poor condition, citing that LPG cylinder prices, which were around Rs 400 during the UPA regime, have now exceeded Rs 1,000. IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib blamed the government for burdening citizens with higher prices to mask its economic failures. He criticized the government’s response to tariffs imposed by former President Trump by increasing costs on essential goods.

This protest occurred shortly after the government announced a Rs 2 per litre excise duty hike on petrol and diesel, though retail prices are predicted to remain unchanged due to adjustments with declining global prices. The excise duty on petrol is now Rs 13 per litre and diesel Rs 10 per litre. Furthermore, domestic cooking gas prices rose by Rs 50 per cylinder, impacting both general consumers and Ujjwala beneficiaries.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar