PTI, JAIPUR/NEW DELHI: Stoking a controversy, Rajasthan minister Rajkumar Rinwa on Monday advised people to reduce their expenses to deal with rising fuel prices, a comment slammed by the Congress as "arrogant" and "insensitive".

On a day when the Congress and other opposition parties held a nationwide protest, 'Bharat Bandh', against the rise in fuel prices, the minister said, "People do not understand that if fuel prices are rising they should cut down their expenses. They do not understand this."

Rinwa also said people do not understand that fuel prices are rising as consumption is increasing.

"The government is making efforts to reduce the fuel prices by reducing tax. Expenditure is being made in thousands of crores on flood relief all around (the country) for which money is required," he told reporters.  Fuel prices are regulated by the world market and the government has nothing to do with it, the minister of state for the devasthan department said. 

Reacting to Rinwa's statement, Congress's Rajasthan chief Sachin Pilot said, "Such remarks from a BJP leader tell you they are very arrogant and they are insensitive to the needs of people."