Lucknow: BSP president Mayawati on Saturday said govt should have continued keeping petroleum product prices under control, as it did earlier in view of Assembly elections in several states.In a post on X, she said the recent hike in prices of commercial LPG cylinders has triggered apprehension among people that petrol, diesel, cooking gas and other petroleum products could also become costlier.“There is widespread unease among people because of this. Amid the severe shortage of commercial cylinders in the country, the one-time hike of Rs 993 in their price, and news related to its impact on everyday life, are dominating headlines across all media,” she said.Mayawati added that whatever the real cause, be it the America-Israel war on Iran or something else, govt has so far kept prices of petroleum products under considerable control, especially in view of the state Assembly elections.“If that policy is continued even now in the broader interest of public welfare and well-being, it would be appropriate for the good of the country,” she said.The former UP CM further said before allowing prices of petroleum products to rise in this manner, if govt formulates its policies based on the assessment of its impact on the majority of poor and middle-class people in the country already tormented by inflation, it would be better.
