New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Wednesday criticised the Centre over the recent increase in commercial LPG cylinder prices, stating that the burden of the hike will ultimately fall on the public and contribute to rising inflation.

Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi highlighted that the decision would impact small business owners, and questioned that when the oil was bought at a lower price, the common people didn't get its benefit; however, as soon as its prices rose, the government hiked the oil prices.

'Such a massive increase in the price of commercial cylinders. This burden will have to be borne by the public. This will fuel inflation; it's unfortunate. When oil was being bought at lower prices, the public didn't get the benefit of that, but as soon as prices rose, you hiked the rates. This will have a huge impact on small business owners...As soon as elections end, excise duty will be increased--this government isn't for the people, it works for its own gains,' she said.

Echoing similar concerns, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said that the impact of commercial LPG price hikes extends beyond businesses and affects a wide section of society.

'The term 'commercial' is not limited to just business. Many sections of society depend on it. Labourers, industrialists, and others who eat out....We understand the problems that are arising, but we just want to tell the government that at this time, please provide some relief so that the poor can at least have food to eat. That is our only request,' Sawant told ANI.

The prices of LPG cylinders have been revised upward with effect from April 1, with commercial and smaller cylinders witnessing a significant increase across key cities.

In Delhi, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased to Rs 2,078.50, marking a rise of Rs 195.50. Meanwhile, the 5 kg FTL cylinder is now priced at Rs 549 per refill, reflecting an increase of Rs 51, sources said.

In Kolkata, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has gone up by Rs 218, indicating a broader trend of rising fuel costs across urban centres.

Meanwhile, domestic cooking gas LPG rates, which were last hiked by Rs 60 per 14.2-kg cylinder on March 7, remain unchanged. It costs Rs 913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi.

The latest revision comes against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global transit route for crude oil and energy supplies.

Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices have also been revised upward in major metro cities from April 1, 2026. In Delhi, ATF is now priced at Rs 1,04,927 per kilolitre, while in Kolkata it stands at Rs 1,09,450 per kilolitre. Mumbai has recorded ATF prices at Rs 98,247 per kilolitre, and Chennai at Rs 1,09,873 per kilolitre. The increase is in line with rising global crude oil prices, which are impacting airline operations and overall air travel costs.

The sharp rise in ATF rates aligns with the broader surge in jet fuel prices globally, driven by geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, higher crude oil prices and widening refining crack spreads.

Earlier, the Central government reduced excise duty on petrol to Rs 3 per litre and brought it down to zero for diesel, as per a Gazette notification issued under the provisions of the Central Excise Act, 1944. Additionally, a windfall tax of Rs 21.5 per litre has been imposed on diesel exports.

Meanwhile, the government has maintained that fuel supplies across the country remain stable. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in an official statement, assured that 'all retail outlets are operating normally across the country' and that there are 'adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all petrol pumps.' It also urged citizens not to engage in panic buying amid circulating rumours.

Officials further stated that refineries are operating at high capacity with sufficient crude inventories and that domestic LPG production has been ramped up to meet demand. (ANI)