Hyderabad: Telangana Government advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Friday condemned the steep commercial LPG price hike and an additional financial burden on Hajj pilgrims, calling both decisions “anti-people and insensitive” actions by the BJP-led Central government.
The commercial LPG price hike imposed a nearly Rs. 1,000 increase on 19-kg cylinders, pushing prices in Hyderabad beyond Rs. 3,300. Shabbir Ali described this rise as a “cruel burden” on small businesses, hotels, and roadside eateries.
He said the commercial LPG price hike would trigger a cascading effect on food costs. As a result, poor and middle-class families would face higher expenses for daily consumption. Moreover, he criticised the timing, alleging that relief measures appear only during elections while hardships follow immediately after.
“The Centre has shown that its concern for the common man ends with elections,” he said. “Once votes are secured, people are left to bear harsh economic consequences.”
Shabbir Ali also rejected the Centre’s reliance on global factors such as the West Asia crisis to justify the commercial LPG price hike. He noted that the Iran conflict had continued for months, giving the government enough time to prepare protective measures.
He argued that India’s dependence on LPG imports makes proactive pricing and subsidies essential. However, he alleged that poor management of supply and pricing led to artificial scarcity and market exploitation.
Additionally, he flagged reports of supply disruptions and black-market sales of LPG cylinders at inflated rates. According to him, weak authorised supply chains forced consumers to pay more for uncertain availability.
Commercial LPG price hike linked to Hajj burden
Shabbir Ali also opposed the additional Rs. 10,000 charge imposed on Hajj pilgrims. He said the sudden increase placed an unfair burden on those who had already deposited funds after long-term planning.
He stressed that Hajj remains a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey for many Muslims, especially from modest backgrounds. Therefore, imposing last-minute costs created financial stress and uncertainty.
“Imposing an additional financial burden at the last moment is highly insensitive,” he said.
Furthermore, he questioned why the government failed to anticipate rising aviation fuel costs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. He argued that better planning could have avoided transferring the burden to pilgrims.
Shabbir Ali demanded an immediate rollback of the commercial LPG price hike and the additional Hajj charges. He urged the Centre to prioritise public welfare over political considerations.
“These decisions reflect a pattern where ordinary citizens bear the cost of policy failures,” he said. “The government must act responsibly and provide relief without delay.”