Hyderabad: Government advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir criticised the LPG price hike and additional Hajj charges, calling them anti-people decisions by the Centre.
Addressing the media on Friday, he said the sharp rise in commercial LPG prices placed a heavy burden on small businesses. He added that hotels, eateries and common consumers would face rising costs.
He said the price of a 19-kg commercial cylinder increased by nearly ₹1,000. As a result, rates in Hyderabad crossed ₹3,300, which could raise food prices.
Moreover, Shabbir Ali said the timing of the hike exposed what he called election-driven governance. He alleged that relief measures were limited to poll periods.
He also rejected the Centre’s reliance on global factors such as the West Asia situation. Instead, he said authorities had enough time to plan and protect consumers from price shocks.
LPG price hike impact and Hajj charge criticism
Shabbir Ali said India’s dependence on LPG imports required better pricing and subsidy strategies. However, he alleged that poor management led to supply gaps and market issues.
He pointed to reports of black-market sales and supply disruptions. Therefore, he said consumers faced higher costs and uncertain availability.
He also opposed the additional ₹10,000 charge on Hajj pilgrims. He said the decision placed a sudden burden on families who had planned the journey in advance.
Shabbir Ali noted that many pilgrims save for years to undertake Hajj. In addition, he said the late imposition caused financial stress.
He questioned why authorities failed to anticipate rising aviation fuel costs. He said better planning could have avoided the situation.
Shabbir Ali demanded an immediate rollback of both decisions. He urged the Centre to prioritise public welfare and reduce the burden on citizens.
