Bengaluru, May 15 -- Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday criticised the Centre over the recent hike in fuel prices, alleging that the move reflects a lack of a "pro-people" approach at a time when essential commodities are already becoming expensive.

Speaking on the issue, Parameshwara said the Centre should have anticipated the situation and taken steps to protect consumers from rising costs.

"The Central Government knew very well from the beginning that this problem would arise, and they should have figured out how to handle it," he said.

He added that increasing fuel prices at a time of already high inflation has exposed the government's policy approach. "They have shown today that they are not pro-people," he said.

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