Inflation Rises – Middle Class Faces Painful Hit
From the very first day of April, repeated shocks of rising prices: A new start by the BJP government to cut into people’s pockets? : Dr Manish Doshi
From the first day of April, repeated price rises have pushed millions of poor and middle-class families deeper into the trap of inflation. Asking the BJP government a sharp question, “Are these the promised good days?”, Dr Manish Doshi, Media Convener and Spokesperson of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, said that the biggest shock came when the price of commercial LPG cylinders was increased by ₹200. In many places, the price has now crossed ₹2000.
This rise has already started affecting services like tea stalls, mid-day meals, anganwadis, and other public food services. At the same time, the highway toll tax has also increased. This will raise transport costs, which will lead to higher prices of daily goods and food items. It is estimated that toll collection across the country may reach ₹80,000 crore in 2026–27.
Fuel prices have also gone up due to private companies. On 26 March, Nayara Energy increased petrol by ₹5.30 per litre and diesel by ₹3 per litre. On 31 March, Shell raised prices to ₹112 per litre for petrol and ₹98 per litre for diesel. After elections in five states, government oil companies may also increase prices following directions from the Modi government.
In the last ten years, the Modi government has written off about ₹26 lakh crore for industrialists. On the other hand, by increasing excise duty on petrol and diesel, the government has collected about ₹35 lakh crore from the pockets of 140 crore people over the past 11 years.
National banks have also collected ₹28,495 crore from account holders in the last five years through low balance charges and service fees. Indian Railways has collected ₹15,000 crore from people in the last five years under various service charges.
The Indian rupee has crossed ₹95 this year and may soon reach ₹100. This will further increase inflation. Food items will become more expensive. The biggest impact is already being seen on mid-day meals, anganwadis, hostels, and mess and canteen services for students.
The common and middle classes are already under pressure due to loan instalments, taxes, and rising prices.
An increase in air turbine fuel prices will make air travel more expensive. Prices of over 900 essential medicines for fever, liver, kidney, blood pressure, sugar, allergy, and anaemia have also increased. This will directly affect citizens, especially elderly people. Medical devices like coronary stents will also become more expensive.
Speed post charges have increased by 34%. Due to higher commercial gas prices, items like plastic, steel, and ceramics will become more expensive. Farmers will have to pay more for PVC pipes. Bitumen prices have increased by up to 50%, which will affect construction work directly.
Fertiliser prices are also rising, and shortages have started. School and college textbooks will also become more expensive. Industries such as marble, brass parts, and ceramics are facing slowdown, closure, and job losses. Workers are being forced to return to their villages.
These policies of the BJP government are putting a heavy burden on common people. Are these really the promised good days? With rising prices and increasing costs, the biggest question is whether this is a necessary part of the economy or an extra burden on ordinary people.
.Price Hike
Commercial gas cylinder -> ₹218
Premium petrol -> ₹11 per litre
Premium diesel -> ₹1.5 per litre
Medicines (more than 900) -> 10%
Toll tax -> 10%
FASTag pass -> ₹75
Bread, butter, slippers -> 25%
Groundnut oil -> ₹300
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