Commercial LPG cylinder prices have been hiked from June 1, with the cost of a 19 kg cylinder in Delhi going up by Rs 42 to Rs 3,113.50.
In Kolkata, the price has been increased by Rs 53.50, taking the retail
rate to Rs 3,255.50.
The prices of 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders have also been revised upward by Rs 11 and will now cost Rs 821.50 in Delhi.
However, there has been no change in the prices of domestic LPG cylinders.
The increase is expected to impact restaurants, hotels, caterers and other commercial establishments that rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders for daily operations.
The latest revision comes amid the government’s continued efforts to strengthen fuel security and maintain an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.
On May 29, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, had said during an inter-ministerial briefing that the government was working on expanding strategic reserves for both LPG and crude oil.
“Regarding strategic reserves, we are also working on the strategic reserves. And we have asked the oil marketing companies to work out that the LPG reserve should be a minimum of 30 days with them, and they are working on it. And similarly, for crude also, we are working,” Sharma had said.
She had also assured that there was no shortage of fuel products in the country and that supplies remained stable despite reports of panic buying and hoarding in some areas.
“We have sufficient stock of petrol, diesel and LPG, natural gas and fuel inventories are tied up. All our refineries are operating at an optimum level, and LPG production is at an all-time high, almost 90 DMT per day. No dry out has been reported on the LPG distributorship,” Sharma had said.
The ministry had noted unusual spikes in fuel sales in some districts, attributing them partly to agricultural demand and bulk purchases.
According to Sharma, more than 30 per cent growth was being seen overall, with 14 districts reporting over 100 per cent growth in petrol sales.
To curb diversion and hoarding, enforcement drives have also been intensified.
Sharma had said that over 6,500 raids were conducted on LPG operations in four days, leading to five FIRs and two arrests.
In addition, 900 raids at retail fuel outlets over two days resulted in the seizure of 417 litres of petrol and 75,715 litres of diesel, along with 12 FIRs and 15 arrests.
She had further stated that the government was taking several measures to keep fuel prices stable, including cuts in excise duty on petrol and diesel.
Sharma had urged citizens not to pay attention to rumours and appealed for responsible energy usage while assuring that the government was working to ensure smooth availability and delivery of LPG cylinders and other fuel products across the country.
