On May 3, 2023, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the Indian government's recent LPG price hike, describing it as one of the most severe increases in history. The price for commercial LPG cylinders surged by ₹993, now exceeding ₹3,000, which he argues will adversely affect the hotel and restaurant sectors. Additionally, the ₹251.50 increase in the price of 5-kg LPG cylinders is expected to impact migrant workers and small families. Vijayan pointed out that this price hike occurred shortly after state Assembly elections, burdening ordinary citizens and small-scale entrepreneurs. He highlighted the ongoing crisis in West Asia, which has already led to a shortage of cooking gas in the hospitality sector. Vijayan accused oil companies of prioritizing profits and urged the Union government to reverse the price hike, emphasizing that the financial strain would ultimately be passed on to consumers and could lead to the closure of small establishments in Kerala.