By Agartala Correspondent | Tripura 24.in AGARTALA | March 13, 2026
AGARTALA: Escalating their offensive against the Central Government’s economic policies, the Tripura Pradesh Mahila Congress organized a high-profile press conference at the Agartala Congress Bhavan today. The primary focus of the meet was the recent steep hike in the prices of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, which the leaders termed a “direct assault on the kitchens of ordinary families.”
The protest comes in the wake of the March 7 price revision, where the cost of a domestic LPG cylinder was increased by ₹60, pushing prices in many parts of the state toward the ₹1,000 mark.
“Double Burden” on Women
Addressing the media, the leadership of the state’s women’s wing highlighted the cascading effect of fuel inflation on the lives of women, who are predominantly responsible for managing household expenses.
Key Allegations Raised by Mahila Congress:
- Impact on Ujjwala Beneficiaries: Leaders pointed out that while many women received free gas connections under the Ujjwala scheme, the current prices have made refills unaffordable, forcing many to return to traditional wood-fired stoves.
- Inflationary Spiral: The party argued that the ₹60 hike in domestic gas and the simultaneous ₹115 increase in commercial LPG rates would lead to higher food prices in restaurants and local eateries.
- Timing of the Hike: The leaders criticized the government for imposing this burden right before the festive season and during the ongoing budget session of the state assembly.
Voices from the Leadership
The press conference featured senior members of the Tripura Pradesh Mahila Congress, including State President Sarbari Ghosh Chakraborty.
”The BJP government talks about ‘Nari Shakti’ (Women Power), but their actions tell a different story. By increasing the price of cooking gas by ₹60 in one go, they have effectively snatched away the savings of middle-class and poor mothers. We demand an immediate rollback of this hike. If the prices are not reduced, we will take our movement from the press club to every kitchen in the state,” Chakraborty asserted.
Call for Rollback and Nationwide Protest
The Tripura unit echoed the national call of the All India Mahila Congress (AIMC), demanding that the Union Petroleum Ministry explain why prices were hiked despite claims of stable domestic supply. The association also questioned the new “21-day advance booking” requirement, which they claim is causing artificial shortages and panic among consumers.
Upcoming Demonstrations
The Pradesh Mahila Congress announced a series of demonstrations and sit-ins across various district headquarters in Tripura starting next week. They have also planned to submit a formal memorandum to the Governor, seeking his intervention to protect the common citizens from “unbridled fuel inflation.”
