New Delhi: Amidst criticism on increasing prices of petroleum products, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Nov 6, 2004) got support from his wife Gursharan Kaur on the issue who asked people to make a "sacrifice".

"I or any other housewife would never be in favour of a hike in the prices of LPG. But this is a compulsion of the Government because the subsidies have been mounting day-by-day," she told reporters after inaugurating an exhibition in New Delhi.

"Government has to face losses to the tune of crores. The only way to tide over it is that we all get together and make a sacrifice," she added.

Shortly after Manmohan Singh became the Prime Minister, Kaur had said that she will ask her husband not to increase the price of LPG, as a housewife is the most affected by it.

"Handling these decisions is his (PM's) department, I am no dictator, the Government must be having valid reasons behind this move," she said.

Kaur noted that Government gives various subsidies and with each passing day the financial burden on Government is mounting.

Many years ago price of a gas cylinder used to be Rs 20 only but this could not have continued for ages and a price rise is inevitable, she said after inaugurating 'Annual Welfare Exhibition 2004' organised by CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) Wives' Welfare Association.