·         Shabbir Ali opposes additional Rs 10,000 burden on Hajj pilgrims

Hyderabad, May 1: Advisor to Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Friday strongly condemned the steep hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices and the additional financial burden imposed on Hajj pilgrims, terming both decisions as “anti-people and insensitive” actions of the BJP-led Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shabbir Ali expressed serious concern over the nearly Rs. 1,000 increase in the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders, calling it a “cruel burden” on small businesses, hotels, roadside eateries and millions of common citizens who depend on affordable food. He said the hike, which has pushed cylinder prices in Hyderabad to over Rs. 3,300, will have a cascading effect on food prices, ultimately impacting the poor and middle-class families the most.

He criticised the timing of the decision, stating that the BJP government once again exposed its “election-centric governance”, where relief is offered only during polls while hardships are imposed immediately after. “The Centre has shown that its concern for the common man ends with elections. Once the votes are secured, people are left to bear the consequences of harsh economic decisions,” he said.

Referring to global developments, Shabbir Ali said that the government cannot hide behind international factors such as the West Asia crisis and rising fuel prices. “The Iran conflict has been ongoing for months. The Centre had ample time to prepare a structured plan to shield citizens from price shocks. Instead, it has chosen the easiest route of passing the burden directly onto the people,” he remarked.

He further pointed out that India’s heavy dependence on LPG imports makes it even more essential for the government to adopt proactive pricing and subsidy mechanisms. However, he alleged that the Modi government has failed to manage both supply and pricing efficiently, leading to artificial scarcity and exploitation in the market.

Shabbir Ali also highlighted reports of supply disruptions and black-market sales of commercial LPG at inflated rates, calling it a serious governance failure. “When authorised supply chains weaken, it is the common consumer who suffers the most, paying higher prices for lower quality and uncertain availability,” he said.

Condemning the additional Rs. 10,000 charge imposed on Hajj pilgrims, Shabbir Ali said the decision was unjust and exploitative. He noted that Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey for many Muslims, especially those from modest backgrounds who spend years saving for it.

“Imposing an additional financial burden at the last moment is highly insensitive. Pilgrims had already deposited substantial amounts after careful planning. This sudden hike places them under immense stress,” he said.

He questioned why the government failed to anticipate the rise in aviation fuel prices despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. “Proper planning could have prevented this situation. Instead, the government has chosen to pass on the burden to pilgrims,” he said.

Shabbir Ali demanded immediate rollback of both the LPG price hike and the additional Hajj charges, urging the Centre to prioritise public welfare over political considerations. “These decisions reflect a pattern where ordinary citizens are made to bear the cost of policy failures. The government must act responsibly and provide relief without delay,” he said. (eom)