West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a protest march in Kolkata against the recent hike in domestic cooking gas prices. The march is scheduled to take place on Sunday, with Banerjee personally leading the demonstration to express opposition to the price increase imposed by the central government.
The announcement came after oil marketing companies increased the price of domestic LPG cylinders by ₹60, triggering criticism from several opposition parties. Banerjee accused the Centre of placing an additional financial burden on ordinary citizens who are already struggling with rising inflation and living costs.
According to the Chief Minister, the protest aims to highlight the hardships faced by common households due to rising fuel prices and to demand a rollback of the hike.
LPG cylinder price increased across major cities
The price revision came into effect on March 7, raising the cost of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder across major cities in India. Following the hike, the price of a domestic cylinder in Kolkata has risen to around ₹939, while prices in other metros such as Delhi and Mumbai have also increased significantly.
Commercial LPG cylinders, widely used by restaurants, hotels and small businesses, also witnessed a steep rise of over ₹114 per cylinder.
Industry officials said the increase is largely linked to rising global energy costs and supply uncertainties triggered by the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which have affected international oil and gas markets.
Opposition leaders argue that frequent price hikes in essential fuels are worsening inflation and affecting household budgets across the country.
Chief Minister criticizes Centre over rising costs
While announcing the protest march, Banerjee strongly criticized the central government, accusing it of ignoring the concerns of common people. She said that cooking gas is a basic necessity for millions of households, and any sudden increase in its price directly impacts family budgets.
Banerjee also emphasized that women, who are often responsible for managing household expenses, are among the worst affected by the rising cost of cooking fuel. She urged people from all sections of society to participate in the march and raise their voices against the hike.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leadership has echoed similar concerns, stating that the increase in LPG prices is part of a broader trend of rising costs of essential commodities.
Political reactions to LPG price hike
The LPG price hike has triggered strong reactions from opposition parties across the country. Several leaders have accused the BJP-led central government of imposing financial pressure on citizens during a period of economic uncertainty.
Political analysts say the issue could become a major point of debate in upcoming elections, as fuel prices often have a direct impact on public sentiment.
Meanwhile, the central government has maintained that price revisions are necessary due to fluctuations in international energy markets and import costs.
Impact on households and small businesses
The rise in LPG prices is expected to affect both households and businesses. Domestic consumers may face increased monthly expenses, while restaurants, eateries and small food vendors could experience higher operating costs due to the hike in commercial cylinder prices.
Experts note that cooking gas price increases can also have a ripple effect on food prices, as businesses pass on the additional cost to consumers. This could further contribute to inflation in the coming months.
Protest expected to draw large participation
The protest march in Kolkata is expected to see participation from Trinamool Congress workers, party leaders and supporters. The demonstration is aimed at drawing national attention to the issue and putting pressure on the central government to reconsider the price hike.
Banerjee said the movement will continue, if necessary, until relief is provided to consumers. She also called on citizens to stand united against what she described as unjustified increases in essential commodity prices.