Guwahati: A rush broke out outside gas agencies in the city on Saturday morning as the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, both domestic and commercial, were increased. Residents criticised the hike, stating it would put pressure on household budgets and businesses already coping with the rising cost of living.Many residents lamented the increase, which comes amid the conflict in West Asia, claiming it will directly impact daily expenses, particularly for middle and lower-income families relying on LPG for cooking.
“Cooking gas is a commodity in every household and the price rise immediately affects the monthly budget. In a month, we use approximately two gas cylinders in our home. I came to know this morning, I had booked the 14.2 kg cylinder for Rs 902, but when I rechecked the price stood at Rs 962. This is a total harassment on the person,” said Rajkumar Gogoi, a resident of Dispur Last Gate.Meanwhile, restaurant owners who depend on commercial LPG cylinders for their daily operations say that the price hike could negatively impact their businesses.Sarfaraz Haque, a restaurant proprietor, said, “Even though prices keep rising, we cannot easily increase the price of food because it would affect our customer base. The burden ultimately falls on us. Our country is a price-sensitive market. While people may be willing to pay extra for luxury goods, in the culinary industry — especially at the street level — price plays a major role. If we increase food prices in line with inflation, it could have a negative impact on our business and hinder our growth.”It must also be noted that the price of LPG cylinders had previously increased by Rs 50 last year, during April crossing the Rs 900 mark threshold.Bhrigu Borthakur, who runs an NGO in the city, said the increase will have a significant impact on their operations. “The cost of consumable items is already very high and gas is a basic necessity for us. One cylinder hardly lasts two days, as I run a children’s home along with a feeding initiative. With the price hike, the cost per plate will also increase. In a month, we use nearly 15 to 20 commercial cylinders,” he said.In Assam, especially with the state elections around the corner, many have said this move could create problems for politicians contesting from the ruling party’s side, as rising fuel prices often become a sensitive issue for voters already dealing with increasing living costs.
