An increase in prices has recently been recommended by the expert panel led by Kirti Parekh. Before leaving for Delhi today, Mamata said the people of Bengal will be particularly affected as the tax on petroleum is high in the state.

“There has been an abnormal increase in the prices of essential commodities and I am against a fresh increase in the prices of petroleum products, especially LPG,” Banerjee said. She is opposed to the implementation of all the recommendations of the Parekh panel.

“Subsidised prices are alright. Subsidy is given by governments in developing countries keeping the interest of common people in mind,” she said.

The minister lambasted the state government for its inability to control the rising prices of essential commodities in the state.

“The CPM-led state government is favouring hoarders and is not taking any action against them. They are responsible for not only the price hike but failure to control it,” Mamata said.

On Wednesday, the panel, appointed by the Prime Minister, which included Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla and Oil Secretary S Sundareshan, submitted a report to Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, suggesting a price hike in LPG by Rs 100 per cylinder and kerosene by Rs six a litre.