Former Haryana chief minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Wednesday said rising inflation and fuel prices have severely impacted common households. He said the BJP raised petrol and diesel prices soon after elections ended, adding that the burden on people has steadily increased.
Hooda said the BJP started increasing fuel rates immediately after elections in five states concluded. He said petrol and diesel prices rose by around Rs 3 per litre on May 15, followed by another hike of nearly 90 paise on May 19. He added that the rise in fuel prices has pushed up the cost of essential commodities.
He said prices of daily-use items, including milk, pulses, cooking oil and clothing, are continuously increasing. He said this has affected household budgets, small businesses and daily commuting costs, making life more expensive for ordinary citizens.
Hooda pointed out that domestic LPG cylinder prices reached between Rs 910 and Rs 913 by March 2026. He said this was in contrast to the BJP’s poll promise of providing cylinders at Rs 500. He also said that during the Congress government, cylinder prices rarely crossed Rs 400.
He further said commercial 19-kg LPG cylinders saw sharp increases of Rs 114.50 in March, Rs 195.50 in April and Rs 993 on May 1. He said this cumulative rise of over Rs 1,300 has hit hotels, dhabas, small restaurants, traders, taxi drivers and truck operators.
Hooda said the cost of commercial cylinders has now crossed Rs 3,000, which has increased food and service prices. He also said 5-kg ‘Chhotu’ cylinders used by migrant workers have become costlier, forcing some workers to return to their native places. He said the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose to 8.3% in April 2026, a 42-month high. He said this reflects a sharp rise in essential commodity prices.
He added that household budgets of the poor and middle class are under pressure, while farm input costs have also increased, with no corresponding hike in MSP.
The former Chief Minister said the purchasing power of middle- and lower-income families has declined and savings are shrinking. He said inflation is rising sharply, while Congress-era prices were lower and more stable, according to him.
He alleged that the BJP has withdrawn subsidies and welfare schemes provided earlier. He also said the Haryana government has increased VAT and the Central government has raised taxes. He demanded reduction in taxes and VAT to control inflation.
Also read: Chemists shut shops to observe one-day strike in Haryana
Follow us
