As expected, prices of all fuels, including cooking gas, have begun to rise. Fuel prices have remained unchanged for four and a half months, with assembly elections in five states. The day-to-day rise in prices will be prompted by the thought that the rulers will no longer have to fear the people after the polls. In any case, everyone is aware of the lies in the central government's fuel policy which is fooling the people. It is not the increase in the price of crude oil bought from abroad that is causing the prices to rise here. Excessive tax revenue from the sale of oil is what drives the Centre to do this anti-people move. It is estimated that over the last three to four years, the central exchequer has received over Rs 3 lakh crore in additional revenue from fuel sales alone. The rise in fuel prices, which is taking away a chunk of the commoner's family budget, is reflected in the prices of all commodities in the market. Only the central government does not recognize this burning reality.

The new phase of inflation began on Monday with the hike in petrol and diesel prices. It continued on Tuesday. In addition to petrol and diesel, the price of domestic cooking gas has also been hiked by Rs 50. The current cost of a cylinder of gas is 1000. The rulers who shed crocodile tears over the hardships of the lives of the poor are constantly pushing them into the abyss of inflation. The actual cost of a litre of petrol coming out of the oil companies is around Rs.50. This is the price that combines the price of crude with the cost of production. When it reaches consumers, its price doubles. Fifty rupees is the combined amount of central and state government taxes and the dealer commission.

It is time to end this pricing of cooking gas. It remains to be seen how the market, which has already been gripped by inflation, will react.

The Centre needs to consider reinstating the gas subsidy, which has been suspended for more than two years. LPG can be provided at subsidized rates to all those below a certain income threshold. While it is the policy of the government to phase out the subsidy arrangement, it is needed to protect ordinary households from the unjustified price of cooking gas. The same pattern of ration distribution can be applied to gas distribution. Instead of making a fuss in Parliament, the MPs should force the government to take such a positive step. It should be remembered that fuel prices in the country have not risen as much as they do today, even when crude prices were close to $ 150 years ago. What happening now is daylight robbery. It must be redefined logically.