Vikramaditya Singh, the public works department minister of Himachal Pradesh, has expressed serious concerns regarding the recent hike in LPG prices, which he claims was anticipated following the elections. He stated that the increase, amounting to ₹993 for commercial LPG cylinders, would significantly burden the hospitality sector, particularly with the peak tourist season approaching. Singh estimates that the state could incur an additional financial burden of around ₹70 crore (approximately $8.4 million USD) due to rising input costs, which are already affecting infrastructure and road development projects. Local eatery owners in Shimla echoed these concerns, warning that the price hike would lead to increased food costs, ultimately impacting both regular customers and tourists. Criticism has been directed at the Union government for the timing of the hike, with demands for an immediate rollback from local political leaders, including CPI(M) leader Vijender Mehra, who labeled the increase as “anti-people.”