Patna, June 1 -- Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav on Monday defended the Rs 42 price hike on commercial LPG cylinders, calling it a "normal" and unavoidable step driven by India's heavy reliance on petroleum imports.

Yadav stated that because the country lacks sufficient domestic production resources and imports over 60% of its petroleum products, global market pressures leave the government with no option but to adjust fuel prices.

Speaking to ANI, Yadav said, "The hike in commercial LPG by Rs 42 is normal. We have no resources of our own to produce oil, so we depend on other countries for it. We import more than 60% of our petroleum products. Circumstances are such that the government, despite not wanting to, has to hike oil prices." ...