Prime Minister Narendra Modi today declared a significant reduction in the prices of domestic gas cylinders, marking the announcement on International Women's Day. PM Modi revealed that the prices of domestic gas cylinders would be cut by ₹100, a move aimed at alleviating financial pressures on numerous households.
Following the announcement, political figures responded to the development. Here's a look at some of them:
NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule labelled the announcement as 'jumla', questioning the timing and highlighting the duration of BJP's tenure in power.
"I'm not surprised at all. Check out the timing. They have been in power for the past nine years. Why didn't they think of it earlier? Just when will the election be announced, 'yeh aur ek jumla hai'?In our government, the cylinder cost ₹430. Why don't they match it?" she asked.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput criticised the BJP, saying, "The BJP is a very clever party. They sell (LPG) cylinders of ₹395 at ₹1000 and then PM Modi announces reducing it by ₹100".
TMC leader Sagarika Ghose criticised the timing of the price reduction, labelling it as "political cynicism". "A few days before the general elections, the Modi government has reduced the price of LPG. This is the limit of political cynicism. The country needs a 'Pradhanmantri', what we have is a 'Electionmantri'," she said.
AAP leader Sandeep Pathak dismissed the reduction as "insufficient". He said, "It’s a patchwork. They started ‘Ujjwala Yojna’ and you can see its reality. If he (PM Modi) wishes to respect women, then he should provide justice to our Haryana’s women players",
Union Minister Nisith Pramanik expressed gratitude towards PM Modi for the price reduction, linking it to the Ujjwala Yojana and emphasising its benefits to the people of West Bengal.
He said, "I would like to thank PM Modi, firstly for the Ujjwala Yojna and also for today's special surprise (reducing LPG cylinder prices) for the women. It's an irony that Mamata Banerjee on Women's Day says that West Bengal is the safest place for women, even after the Sandeshkhali incident. It's not the BJP alone but the people of Bengal are hugely benefitted whenever PM Modi visits West Bengal. He has a special relation with West Bengal".
BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj praised PM Modi's concern for women, saying, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not only talk about women's empowerment but India's empowerment under women's leadership. On this auspicious occasion, the Modi government has announced a Rs 100 cut in LPG cylinder prices and this shows how much PM Modi is concerned about women".
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri welcomed the reduction in prices, coinciding with the celebrations of Women's Day and Shivratri.
PM Modi highlighted the importance of affordable cooking gas in promoting a healthier environment and empowering women, aligning with the government's commitment to ease living standards.
READ | Domestic LPG Gets Rs 100 Price-Cut On Women's Day As PM Modi Highlights Centre's 'Nari Shakti' Focus
In a related decision, the Central government extended the ₹300 per LPG cylinder subsidy to poor women under the Ujjwala Yojana for the upcoming fiscal year starting April 1. The subsidy increase from ₹200 to ₹300 per cylinder was implemented last October for the current fiscal year, ending on March 31.