Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress demanded a rollback of the hike in LPG prices by the BJP-led Central government.
Addressing a press conference, Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress President Dr. Pratishtha Khalap said that the BJP government has no concern for the middle-class and lower middle class who are reeling under the high prices of LPG and fuel.
Stating that the government has increased the price of gas and fuel prices which has put a huge strain on the common man, Dr. Khalap said ‘loot, torture and extortion’ are terms which are associated with the present government.
“As the President of Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress, I strongly condemn the recent hike in LPG gas prices by this anti-people government. This is yet another example of the BJP-led government’s complete disregard for the poor, middle class, and lower middle class families who are already reeling under the burden of inflation. There are a many widows and single women who are dependent on daily wages. And if such a woman earns Rs 5000 per month, Rs 850 goes towards purchasing a gas cylinder,”, she said.
“Women, especially homemakers, are bearing the brunt of this price hike. It is shameful that a basic necessity like cooking gas is being made unaffordable for millions of households. We demand an immediate rollback of the LPG price hike and urge the government to take concrete steps to ease the financial burden on the people of this country. If you compare the crude oil rate since 2014, it has dropped by 41%. So there is no reason for the government to keep the LPG price at Rs 850. The government had announced free cylinders under the Ujwala scheme, but this was never implemented. On the contrary, during the Congress government’s tenure, we had assured subsidy for the common man,” she said
“The government also decreases the LPG price by a few rupees before elections and then effects a huge hike after elections are over. This government is a u-turn government — they promise relief but deliver pain. The common man today is drowning in debt, and rather than providing support, the government continues to push the struggling middle class further below the poverty line,” she added.
Deepa Dhupdale, vice president of the Mapusa Mahila Congress and Mollie Da Gama, member of the Tivim Mahila Congress block and North Goa district President were also present.
“This government has hurt the women, mothers, sisters, wives, etc with their policies. Don’t they have mothers, sisters, wives at home. Don’t they have any concern for women,” Da Gama said.
