Defending the recent hike in diesel prices and the cap on subsidised LPG, Union Minister for Labour and Employment M. Mallikarjun Kharge has said the Karnataka government should offer to bear the subsidy on cooking gas. Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, he said the fuel price hike was inevitable. With 74 per cent of the fuel required for the country being imported, there was a revenue deficit of Rs. 2 lakh crore as the fuel was being sold at subsidised prices.
To make up a part of the deficit, the price of diesel was raised by Rs. 5 a litre. Considering the fiscal health of the nation, people should understand why the Union government had to effect the hike, he said and accused the Opposition of spreading false information.
Mr. Kharge said UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had directed the States ruled by the Congress to bear the subsidy of three LPG cylinders.
“Parties ruling in other States should also do that to ease the burden on the people.
“If they are really concerned about the plight of the people, they should offer to supply six more LPG cylinders at subsidised prices,” Mr. Kharge said.
Keywords: cap on LPG, subsidise domestic LPG, Mallikarjun Kharge
