Dewan Slams Modi Govt: Rollback Lpg Hike, Freeze Fuel Prices, Scrap Customs Duty Surge On Gold & Silver

Congress Rips Into Centre Over Inflation

Former president of the District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Urban) and Ex Chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board, Pawan Dewan, has come down heavily on the Central Government over the relentless rise in inflation, accusing it of pursuing policies that have worsened the plight of the poor, the working class and small businesses.

Sharply reacting to the decisions of Modi government hiking the customs duty on gold, silver and platinum—from 6% to 15% (and platinum to 15.4%), Dewan said, “The said decision comes with a heavy domestic cost. Higher duties are expected to sharply increase retail prices of gold, silver and platinum in India, placing additional strain on consumers already grappling with inflationary pressures. The jewellery sector—one of the country’s largest employment generators and export-oriented industries—could face slower demand, squeezed margins and disruptions across manufacturing and retail chains. Small jewellers and artisans, in particular, may bear the brunt of the slowdown.”

Recalling the already, the government has taken an extremely detrimental and harsh decision by hiking commercial LPG cylinder prices, a move that has struck at the very core of household budgets and small businesses alike. “An exorbitant hike in the commercial LPG cylinder prices by ₹993 and the ₹261 increase in 5 kg cylinders, has already placed an unbearable burden on ordinary citizens, labourers and small traders,” said Dewan, while stressing that rising LPG prices do not merely affect household kitchens but trigger a chain reaction, pushing up the cost of goods and services and thereby deepening the inflationary crisis.

Dewan pointed out that inflation is not limited to LPG alone. The surge in prices of essential food items such as pulses, vegetables and edible oils, coupled with rising transport costs, has made life increasingly difficult for families across the country. He said that household budgets are collapsing under the weight of these hikes, small eateries are being forced to shut down and workers are struggling to balance basic needs like food and fuel.

Alleging that the Centre deliberately held back price hikes until after elections, Dewan charged that political interests are being placed above public welfare. He said the timing of these increases exposes the government’s priorities, showing that votes are valued more than people’s lives.

Dewan demanded immediate corrective measures, making it clear that, as anticipated, there must be no rise in domestic LPG prices and that petrol and diesel rates should be frozen to shield households and commuters. He further insisted on a rollback of the commercial LPG hike and an urgent scrapping of the customs duty surge on gold and silver, to safeguard small businesses, dhabas and labourers already reeling under escalating costs.

Reiterating that the Congress had earlier warned of sharp price rises after elections, Dewan said the current situation vindicates that concern. He concluded that inflation is not a mere statistic but a daily struggle of hunger, hardship and humiliation for millions and that the government must act decisively to provide relief to vulnerable sections before the crisis spirals further out of control.