From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Sep 11: KPCC President D K Shivakumar has urged the government to reduce the price of LPG gas cylinders by at least Rs 150 as the increasing price of essential commodities was subjecting the common man to extreme hardship.
The KPCC chief is spreading awareness through his weekly 'Ondu Prashne', opposing the BJP's anti-people policies.
The BJP government has failed to address key issues bothering the common man.
Through his 'Ondu Prashne' series, which began last week, Shivakumar is now raising the issue of LPG price hike that is affecting people across classes.
Shivakumar said the LPG price hike affected not only the poor but also the middle class, especially homemakers.
He shared his concerns via social media and asked the public for their responses.
At present, an LPG cylinder costs around Rs 900 and has reached Rs 956 in Bidar district on Saturday. Refilling gas cylinders may skyrocket to Rs 1000 soon, he warned.
People of the State are frustrated by such never-ending issues of livelihood.
The country continues to reel under Covid-19 and many have lost jobs. People are struggling to bear family expenses. But, the government continues to increase the price of essentials.
In our country, there are over 290 million domestic LPG customers and the central government's subsidy has been stopped.
"I have visited various parts of the State and interacted with people from all walks of life. Each time I speak to them, irrespective of the economic class they belong to, they are faced with the same issue. The poor, middle class and also the rich everybody is facing the brunt of rising prices of LPG gas,’’ Shivakumar said.
"People who have lost their jobs are taking their own lives as they are finding it difficult to lead their lives. In a situation such as this, the government continues to increase the prices. This is not just anti-people policy, but also inhuman," he said.
“Many beneficiaries of the Ujwala scheme are now using wood stoves because of the LPG price hike. Especially the poor and middle class women are facing problems in refilling cylinders. At this moment LPG cylinder price should be reduced. We demanded a minimum of Rs 150 rollback on prices of LPG," said Shivakumar.
The KPCC president also sought the opinion of people and asked them to respond through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The State Congress leader also held discussions with Koodu Vokkaliga community leaders along with former MLA Priyank Kharge, Akhila Karnataka Vokkaligara Okkoota Vice President Shivaraj Patil, Convenor Manikya Chellur, Kalaburgi District Congress President Shivayogappa Chittapur, Vice President Mallannagouda Patil and Ballari Congress President Sagargouda.
He also held discussions with Mekedatu agitation committee leaders on their padayatra to Vidhana Soudha on September 23. Committee leaders Sampath Kumar, Narayanaswamy, Kalpana Shivanna and Madhusudhan were among the leaders who met the KPCC Chief.
On the recent elections to Hubballi-Dharward, Belagavi and Kalaburgi city corporations, Shivakumar said senior Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge has already discussed with JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda. "I do not want to add anything. Kharge is our senior leader,’’ he said.
He said the party has done very well and that he will be visiting Hubballi and Kalaburgi on Sunday and will hold discussions with local leaders.
Answering a question on whether he would discuss with State JD(S) Chief and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on possible tie-up with Congress and JD(S) in the Kalaburgi Municipal Corporation, he said: “I will do whatever is necessary for the good of the party.’’