BENGALURU: AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala here on Tuesday lashed out at the Centre as it increased prices of 900 essential medicines, including those for diabetes, hypertension and infectious diseases that will come into effect from April 1.
The Modi government and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) are increasing the prices of 31 medicines including that for diabetes and prophylactic Merofen 500 mg used in ICUs. It has imposed a 12% GST despite demand for GST exemption on essential medicines, he said.
The prices of plastic goods have increased 50% since March 2026. On March 25, Indian Oil Corporation increased the price of polyethylene by Rs 7,000 per tonne. The price of polypropylen bitumen used for asphalt has increased from Rs 45,000 to Rs 65,000 per tonne in March 2026, he elaborated.
“Cement prices are estimated to increase by Rs 50-100 per bag in April 2026. The country’s cement sector is under the control of Adani and its price may increase further. Iron prices are also rising in a similar manner, but the Modi government has remained a spectator,” he alleged.
He also took a dig at the government as air fares have increased by 10-15% in March and April, with Air India and IndiGo imposing fuel surcharge.
SURJEWALA ALLEGES TOLL LOOT
“A good example of the Centre looting Kannadigas is that Rs 900 crore has been collected since 2023 to date on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. This amount will increase from April 1,” alleged AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala. He said that since 2019-20, the Modi government has collected Rs 23,000 crore through toll hike and toll tax. The Centre is increasing the toll tax by 5% from April 1, which will impose an additional burden of Rs 250 crore. He said the Centre has increased speed post rate by 34% which will make sending small items or documents through India Post expensive. “Before asking for votes, the PM and every BJP leader must answer for price hikes,” he said.