Bengaluru, March 31 (NationPress) The Congress party has vehemently criticized the Central Government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, in light of new price hikes scheduled for April 1. During a joint press briefing at the KPCC headquarters, AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and Karnataka's deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar denounced the upcoming fiscal year as a "day of exploitation" for the diligent populace of India.

Surjewala remarked, “April 1, 2026, will mark the onset of the dreaded ‘Bele Erike’ (price hike) for both Kannadigas and all Indian citizens, courtesy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. This blatant price inflation has become a Machiavellian strategy for the BJP to ‘deceive’, ‘loot’, and ‘rob’ the financial resources of Karnataka's hardworking citizens.”

He demanded accountability from not only Prime Minister Modi but every BJP official, stating, “Beginning April 1, we will witness a ‘highway robbery’ against everyday citizens. Since the fiscal year 2019-20, the central government has amassed nearly Rs 23,000 crore from Karnataka through toll taxes and continuous fare hikes.”

Surjewala detailed the collection amounts: Rs 1,882 crore in 2019-20, Rs 1,866 crore in 2020-21, Rs 2,351 crore in 2021-22, Rs 3,517 crore in 2022-23, Rs 4,086 crore in 2023-24, Rs 4,320 crore in 2024-25, and an anticipated Rs 4,600 crore in 2025-26—totaling Rs 22,622 crore.”

He further stated, “Starting April 1, the Centre will impose a 5 percent increase in toll taxes, burdening the people of Karnataka with an additional Rs 250 crore. For instance, the Bengaluru–Mysuru highway has already yielded approximately Rs 900 crore since 2023, and this figure will only escalate.”

Surjewala also asserted that beginning April 1, 2026, the Centre and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will escalate the ceiling prices on over 900 essential medications, including life-saving drugs for diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases.

“The MRP for critical last-resort antibiotics such as Meropenem 500 mg and 1000 mg is set to rise. Additionally, prices of coronary stents will also see an increase. A total of 31 medications for diabetes and hypertension will experience similar hikes,” he alleged.

He accused the Centre of “capitalizing on the suffering of the citizens” and criticized the ongoing 12 percent GST on essential medicines, despite appeals for exemption.

“Every April 1 has historically been a day for raising prices on the sick and needy. In 2022, medicine prices surged by 10.76 percent. In 2023, the increase was 12.12 percent. Now, April 1, 2026, will again witness hikes on over 900 essential drug formulations,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar highlighted the rising input costs across various sectors. “Plastic goods have seen price increases of up to 50 percent in March 2026 alone. On March 25, the Indian Oil Corporation raised polyethylene prices by Rs 7,000 per tonne, while polypropylene prices surged by Rs 4,000 per tonne. This will directly impact the costs of packaging materials and FMCG products. PVC prices also increased by Rs 6,000 per tonne, affecting irrigation and construction,” he noted.

Shivakumar added, “In March 2026, bitumen prices escalated by 30–50 percent, rising from Rs 45,000 to Rs 65,000 per tonne, affecting construction activities. Industry forecasts suggest that cement prices may rise by Rs 50 to Rs 100 per bag in April.”

He also pointed out steel price hikes, stating that hot-rolled steel coils have risen from Rs 47,317 to Rs 55,900 per tonne, while steel rebar increased from Rs 47,615 to Rs 59,800.

“Prices of key petrochemical by-products used in detergents, dyes, and pharmaceuticals have also surged. Consumer appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators are expected to become 5-15 percent more expensive between March and April 2026,” Shivakumar said.

He concluded by stating that fuel, gas, and passenger costs have increasingly burdened the average citizen. Airfares have already seen a 10–15 percent rise, with airlines like Air India and IndiGo implementing fuel surcharges. Domestic LPG prices have doubled within a month to Rs 913 per cylinder, with shortages pushing actual costs even higher. Commercial LPG rates have also surged significantly.”

“Moreover, petrol and diesel prices have increased, and even Speed Post charges have risen by 34 percent, contributing to overall inflationary pressures,”** Shivakumar alleged.