Explore Business Standard
The prices of domestic LPG and commercial cylinders were hiked by a steep Rs 60 and Rs 114.5, respectively, amid rising energy costs linked to the West Asia conflict. Non-subsidised LPG, the one that common household users other than the Ujjwala beneficiaries use in their kitchens, will now cost Rs 913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi as against Rs 853 previously, according to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) website. This is the second increase in prices in less than a year. Industry officials said the increase follows a steep rise in global energy prices since the breakout of military conflict in West Asia. Despite the price increase, cooking gas in India is priced at the lowest when compared with neighbouring countries, they said. The price increase, the website showed, is effective from March 7. This is the second increase in rates in 11 months. Prices were last hiked by Rs 50 in April last year. In Mumbai, non-subsidised LPG now costs Rs 912.50, Rs 939 in Kolkata and Rs 928.50
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices were raised by 5.4 per cent on Monday, while commercial LPG rates were cut by Rs 10 per cylinder as state-owned oil companies announced their monthly price revision in line with global trends. ATF prices in Delhi increased by Rs 5,133.75 per kilolitre to Rs 99,676.77 per kl, marking the third consecutive monthly hike, according to state-owned fuel retailers. Rates had risen by about 1 per cent on November 1 and by 3.3 per cent on October 1. The latest increase is expected to add pressure on airlines, for which fuel accounts for nearly 40 per cent of operating costs. No immediate comments could be obtained from the airlines on the impact of the price change. In Mumbai, ATF was revised to Rs 93,281.04 per kl, while prices in Chennai and Kolkata were raised to Rs 1,03,301.80 and Rs 1,02,371.02 per kl, respectively. Fuel prices vary across cities due to local taxes. Alongside, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder used by hotels and restaura
Oil sector regulator PNGRB has ordered city gas retailers to charge a uniform price for natural gas they pipe to household kitchens for cooking purposes, regardless of consumption levels, as it looks to curb the tendency of companies to charge a higher rate beyond a usage threshold. The government allocates natural gas priced at lower than market rates, called APM gas, to city gas retailers for sale to households as piped natural gas (PNG). Since the allocation is made by the government at sub-market price, the expectation is that the city gas retailers will pass on the benefit to users. While gas meant for household kitchens is priced at lower than market rates, the same supplied to commercial establishments, like hotels, is to be priced at the market rate. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) in a notice said it has come to light that "certain city gas distribution (CGD) entities are implementing a telescopic pricing structure for piped natural gas (PNG) domestic
The LPG Distributors Association on Sunday threatened an indefinite countrywide strike if their demands, including higher commission, are not met in three months. This decision was taken at the national convention of the association in Bhopal on Saturday, its president BS Sharma said in a release. "A proposal has been approved by the members from various states about the charter of demands. We have also written to the Petroleum of National Gas Ministry about the demands of LPG distributors. The present commission being given to LPG distributors is very low and it is not commensurate with the operational cost," he said. As per the letter to the Union government, the commission on LPG distribution should be increased to at least Rs 150. "LPG supply is based on demand and supply. But oil companies are forcibly sending non-domestic cylinders to distributors without any demand, which is against legal provisions. It should be stopped immediately. There are also problems in distribution .
Members of the Indian Youth Congress held a protest here on Saturday against the recent hike in excise duty on petrol and diesel as well as the rise in prices of CNG and LPG, accusing the Narendra Modi government of failing to manage the country's economy. The protest took place at the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) office on Raisina Road. Workers of the outfit raised slogans and criticised the BJP-led Centre over rising fuel and cooking gas prices despite falling international crude oil rates. "Under the Modi government, the economic health of the country is in a very bad shape. The price of petrol and diesel is high despite lower rates of crude oil in the international market. An LPG cylinder used to cost Rs 400 during the UPA government and today it has crossed Rs 1,000," a protester told PTI videos. IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib accused the Centre of burdening the people with higher prices to cover for its "economic mismanagement". "On one hand, Modi's friend Trump is slamming ...