New Delhi, October 1, 2023 - The first day of October has brought an unwelcome surprise for consumers as gas companies have increased the prices of 19-kilogram LPG cylinders to INR 1731.50. This sudden price hike comes as a shock for households already grappling with rising inflation.
According to sources cited by news agency ANI, commercial cylinders have seen a substantial increase of INR 209. Thankfully, there has been no change in the prices of domestic LPG cylinders, offering some relief to households.
It's important to note that government-owned oil companies review LPG cylinder prices on the first of every month. Last month, prices for domestic cylinders had been reduced, but commercial cylinder prices have been on a fluctuating trend over the past few months.
The price of commercial LPG cylinders has now reached INR 1731.50, impacting businesses and industries that rely on these larger cylinders.
In the capital city, Delhi, the 19-kilogram cylinder will now be available at the revised price of INR 1731.50, adding an extra burden on commercial users.
In a related development, the Central Cabinet had recently approved an additional 7.5 million LPG connections under the Ujjwala Yojana. These connections will be distributed over the next three years, with a total cost of INR 1,650 crore. Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur had stated that these new connections would be similar to existing subsidized connections provided under the Ujjwala Yojana.
Thakur further explained that these 7.5 million new connections would target families heavily dependent on firewood for cooking, a practice that adversely affects the health of women in rural households.
As consumers face the brunt of increasing LPG prices, it remains to be seen how this development will impact households and businesses in the coming months. The government's decision to expand the Ujjwala Yojana aims to alleviate the challenges faced by families in rural areas, but the immediate concern for many is the rising cost of essential cooking gas.
