Protests heat up after Centre’s commercial gas cylinder price hike:Union Minister Joshi says state govts raise taxes leading to rise in petrol prices

Opposition parties have criticised the government for sharp increase in price of commercial gas cylinder. Karnataka Youth Congress on Saturday staged a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, opposing the sharp increase in commercial LPG cylinder price. On 1 May, 2026, the Central Government hiked commercial LPG 5 kg cylinder prices by record margins. Commercial cylinders became costlier by up to ₹994 (the steepest single-day hike in prices ever) on 1 May. In Delhi, the new price was set at ₹3,071.50. Similarly, the rates for 5-kg FTL or market-priced LPG cylinders were hiked from ₹549 to ₹810.50 per bottle (again the steepest single-day hike ever). Protesters sit with empty gas cylinders in a park The protesters carried empty gas cylinders and banners while raising slogans against the price hike and government policies. Hotel operators join agitation Several small business owners and hotel operators participating in the protest said the repeated increase in commercial LPG prices is severely affecting their livelihoods and forcing them to pass on the burden to consumers. They alleged that rising fuel costs are putting additional pressure on the hospitality and small business sectors, already facing economic challenges. Agitation will be intensified if govt does not roll back price hike: Protestors Youth Congress leaders said if the Central Government does not roll back the price hike, the agitation will be intensified across Karnataka in the coming days. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said that the issue of gas prices is also linked to the global situation and noted that fuel distribution in India remains stable. Interacting with the media, he pointed to rise in international crude prices. State-level taxation also contributes to fuel price differences, he added. The state government has increased the price of petrol and diesel in Karnataka three times. Why did it do this? -Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that domestic inflationary pressures were expected to rise after the elections, pointing to a sharp increase in the price of commercial LPG cylinders.