New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI): Congress leaders on Wednesday expressed strong concerns over the recent hike in commercial LPG prices, saying it will burden ordinary citizens and increase costs for businesses.

Speaking on the issue, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said, 'This will lead to an increase in the price of food served in hotels and restaurants. The common citizens will suffer the most...The PM must stop the increase in prices of LPG cylinders.'

Congress MP Vamsi Krishna Gaddam added, 'This govt has put the common man into a panic mode. We will raise our voice against this. We assure the people that we will raise this issue in Parliament.'

Meanwhile, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also criticised the Centre over the recent hike in LPG prices, questioning how long the government will continue to increase rates and alleging that it is burdening the public.

Speaking to ANI, Tiwari said, 'There has been a continuous rise in the price of LPG. Till how long will the government continue to raise the prices of LPG? The PM should answer how much his govt will loot the people?'

Congress MP Rajiv Shukla said,' This is a very steep hike in the price of the commercial LPG cylinder. This will affect the small business and impact the common man.'

The prices of LPG cylinders have been revised upward with effect from April 1, with commercial and smaller cylinders witnessing a significant increase across key cities.

In Delhi, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased to Rs 2,078.50, marking a rise of Rs 195.50. Meanwhile, the 5 kg FTL cylinder is now priced at Rs 549 per refill, reflecting an increase of Rs 51, sources said.

In Kolkata, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has gone up by Rs 218, indicating a broader trend of rising fuel costs across urban centres.

Meanwhile, domestic cooking gas LPG rates, which were last hiked by Rs 60 per 14.2-kg cylinder on March 7, remain unchanged. It costs Rs 913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi. (ANI)