Bhubaneswar,1st August: The decision of Rs 4 price hike per month and ending of subsidy of domestic LPG cylinder taken by PM Modi-led NDA Government has not only triggered opposition’s protests in the Parliament, but has also irked BJD in Odisha.

Ruling BJD vice-president and Odisha’s Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Narayan Patro in his sharp reactions said, “It’s extremely unfortunate that the BJP Government at the Centre has decided to hike the price of domestic LPG by Rs 4 per cylinder every month and gradually end subsidy. It’s like ditching and hitting hard the poor. Now it is understood that the Ujjwala Yojana was keeping in mind the UP elections.”

“BJD vehemently protest the decision. The same subsidy facility of domestic LPG cylinder should be provided as usual. If situation warrants, we will resort to agitation,” the senior BJD leader threatened.

On the contrary, Odisha BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma defended, “It had been the decision taken by the UPA Government that till March 2018 all types of subsidy will be abolished. It’s being going to be implemented during the NDA tenure. Only Rs 4 price hike. That would start from July and end in March. The subsidy will make happy the people of our country.”

“BJD has lifelong created controversies. The current controversy is that they would resort to tact of counter,” the BJP leader ridiculed.

On the other hand, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in his media reactions at New Delhi clarified, “LPG subsidy won’t be cut for poor people. It is to be withdrawn for ineligible beneficiaries.”

Notably during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha on the day, the opposition criticised the BJP-led NDA Government for deciding to hike the price of domestic LPG by Rs 4 per cylinder every month and gradually ending the subsidy. Amid the pandemonium, the Upper House had to be adjourned.