NEW DELHI: Domestic LPG — household cooking gas supplied in cylinders — became costlier by Rs 50 each on Wednesday as state-run retailers passed on the impact of higher international benchmark rate. In the absence of subsidy, the fourth increase since March is bound to further stretch household budgets grappling with high motor fuel prices and last month’s imposition of GST on condiments and daily consumables.
After the latest increase, a 14.2kg refill will cost Rs 1,053 in Delhi, Rs 1,052 in Mumbai, Rs 1,079 in Kolkata and Rs 1,068 in Chennai. Rates will vary by a few rupees within this range in other states because of difference in local levies.
Refill prices were last revised in May. The first increase on May 7 saw prices topping Rs 1,000 in Kolkata, Chennai and some parts of the country. The rates exceeded Rs 1,000 pan-India after the second revision on May 19.
The series of increases have turned the lack of subsidy a sore point with consumers. The government had scrapped LPG subsidy since May 2020, taking advantage of a fall in global energy prices due to the pandemic.
