Bhubaneswar: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha has announced to intensify its agitation against the Centre over the hike in the price of LPG cylinders. The party also called for three days of protests across the state from November 22. The BJD made the announcement amid state-wide protests by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress over the kidnapping and murder of a teacher in the Kalahandi district.

The BJD has blamed the central government for the hike in the price of LPG cylinders by 70 per cent during the last three and a half years. BJD Chief Whip Pramila Malickk in the state assembly has said that LPG cylinders available for Rs 549 in 2016-17 are now available for Rs 928, thus increasing the price by nearly 70 per cent.

He said that we are not saying this, but the Union Petroleum Minister himself informed parliament in this regard. Malick said that though the central government reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel, it did not consider the demand to reduce the price of LPG. He said that is why BJD has decided to protest against the unprecedented increase in the price of LPG cylinders.

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