The impact of the conflict in the Middle East can be seen in the prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which were revised on April 1. The price increase was witnessed in 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder and 5 kg LPG cylinder (FTL) for free trade. Commercial cooking gas has become expensive for the second time since the start of the Iran-US-Israel war on March 28. First revision ₹144.5 came in March followed by almost ₹Increase in price by 200 in April.
In particular, the government increased the prices of domestic LPG cylinders by 14.2 kg ₹60 last month but no rate changes have been introduced this month. In the capital city of Delhi, the cost of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has increased by ₹194 and from ₹195 in Mumbai.
The latest changes in commercial LPG prices come in the wake of the monthly revision of ATF and LPG prices by state-run Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices also saw an upward revision in major metro cities on April 1, in line with a broader global increase in aviation fuel prices. These revisions are based on international benchmarks and the exchange rate.
Global oil prices have risen nearly 50% since the start of the war due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – a key global transit route for oil and energy supplies.
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices have also seen an upward revision in major metro cities from April 1. There is an ATF price in Delhi now ₹1,04,927 per kilolitre, while in Kolkata it costs at ₹1,09,450 per kilogram. Mumbai recorded ATF prices at ₹98,247 per kiloliter and Chennai at ₹1,09,873 per kilolitre.
“Huge burden on dhabas, restaurants, hotels,” says Randeep Singh Surjewala
Over the hike in the prices of commercial LPG cylinders, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday slammed the Modi government.
“Today, from April 1, the Modi government has imposed a huge burden on dhaba operators, ready-mix operators, restaurants, hotels, confectioners, confectioners, dosa and idli makers. They have increased the price ₹200 commercial gas cylinders,” ANI quoted Randeep Singh Surjewala as saying.
He added: “This is the third hike in 60 days and the first time in 78 years that it has exceeded a 19kg commercial gas cylinder. ₹2000 – has now become a ₹2185 commercial gas cylinder. In the Congress government, we left the gas on ₹400 and even then PM Modi twice lifted the domestic gas cylinder to ₹913, and now after April 9 and April 23, how much more it will increase – only God knows.’
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a special review meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia. During the second special meeting of the CCS held at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the officials discussed the supply situation of petroleum products, especially LNG/LPG and energy availability.
While the government claims that no drying up has been reported at LPG distribution outlets, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has attacked the centre. A Rajya Sabha MP has accused the government of lying about the availability of cooking gas cylinders. Insisting that the government should not lie, he said, “Don’t believe the (Union) government. It is lying. There is a shortage of LPG and it will continue,” PTI reported.
