Dehradun, March 13 -- The Uttarakhand Congress on Thursday criticised the central government over the increase in cooking gas prices, alleging that rising inflation has severely affected poor and middle-class families. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, defended the Centre's handling of petroleum supplies and prices amid global uncertainties. Addressing a press conference at the party office, state Mahila Congress president Jyoti Rautela said inflation continues to rise and the increasing cost of essential commodities, including LPG cylinders, has put pressure on household budgets. Rautela questioned the Centre's policies, saying that when crude oil prices in the international market were at their lowest, the government did not pass on the benefit to consumers by reducing petrol and diesel prices. She also criticised the government for allegedly refusing to allow a discussion in Parliament on the situation in West Asia and its possible impact on India. "Even when the entire opposition is demanding a debate in both Houses of Parliament on the West Asia situation and its implications for India, the government appears reluctant to allow it. This shows it is afraid of facing questions," she said. Rautela further alleged that the central government has failed to clearly communicate with the public regarding the rise in LPG prices. According to her, the price of a cooking gas cylinder has increased significantly during the BJP's tenure, rising from about Rs.450 to nearly Rs.1,100 over the past 12 years. "If the government does not take effective steps to provide relief to the public, the Congress will be forced to launch an agitation," Rautela said. Meanwhile, the BJP defended the Centre's approach and urged people not to panic about the availability of petroleum products. State BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt said, "There is no need to panic. The government is closely monitoring the supply situation."...