The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, 7 June hit back at the Opposition for criticising the latest cooking gas price revision, asserting that Indian households still pay among the lowest LPG rates globally. The pushback came after domestic 14.2 kg cylinder prices were raised by ₹29 — the second hike in three months — as state-owned oil marketing companies grapple with elevated global energy costs.

What the BJP Said

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya took to X to defend the revision, arguing that the Opposition selectively ignores the broader global context. 'Every time there is a small revision in LPG prices, the Opposition cries foul. What they conveniently ignore is that Indian households continue to get cooking gas at among the lowest prices in the world,' he wrote.

Malviya pointed out that a beneficiary under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) effectively pays ₹642 per cylinder after accounting for the ₹300 direct benefit transfer, while a general consumer pays ₹942 — reportedly nearly ₹700 below the market-linked cost. He said the international cost to supply has now risen to over ₹1,600 per cylinder.

India vs the World: The Price Comparison

The BJP leader presented a cross-country comparison to reinforce his argument. According to his figures, India's general consumer rate of ₹942 is lower than rates in neighbouring countries — Pakistan (₹1,046), Nepal (₹1,207), Bangladesh (₹1,225), and Sri Lanka (₹1,241). Consumers in developed nations pay significantly more: United States (₹1,755), Australia (₹1,765), and Canada (₹2,411).

The Global Energy Shock Behind the Hike

Malviya attributed the price pressure to a 46 per cent surge in global LPG prices since February, driven by disruptions in West Asia and the Strait of Hormuz. Since India imports a substantial share of its LPG, the government and public sector oil companies have, according to him, absorbed a significant portion of the cost rather than passing it on to consumers.

He claimed the cumulative 'under-recovery' on domestic LPG has climbed to nearly ₹60,000 crore. He also noted that more than 10.58 crore Ujjwala beneficiary families continue to receive the ₹300 per cylinder subsidy directly into their bank accounts.

Opposition's Criticism and the Broader Context

The Opposition has criticised the hike as an additional burden on middle-class and lower-income households, particularly given that this marks the second revision in three months. Critics argue that the timing — coinciding with persistent food inflation — compounds the strain on household budgets.

This comes amid a broader pattern of energy pricing debates in India, where the government has periodically revised LPG rates in line with global benchmarks while maintaining targeted subsidies. The BJP's counter-narrative centres on the argument that subsidised pricing has been sustained despite an unprecedented external shock. How effectively this message lands with consumers facing cumulative cost pressures remains to be seen.