The recurring price hike of LPG cylinders in the state will affect the domestic consumers hard, experts say.
According to the figures from the industry, the price of the unsubsidised LPG cylinders has been hiked from Rs 789 to Rs 917.50. The price of commercial cylinders has escalated from Rs 979 to Rs 1,137.50. For 19-kg cylinders, the price has been hiked from Rs 1,435 to Rs 1,848 (the figures will have small variation in other districts).
However, the price of subsidised domestic cylinders hasn’t changed from Rs 425.
According to the officials in the industry, domestic consumers will have to depend on unsubsidised LPG cylinders as the government has already cut down the number of domestic gas cylinders from nine to six.
This may increase the demand for unsubsidised cylinders.
“Earlier, the domestic consumer could avail themselves of adequate LPG cylinders with subsidy. But now, there are restrictions for the domestic consumers. Every month the price of unsubsidised cylinders is on the rise. Certainly, common people will find it difficult to afford it,” said an official with a petroleum company. Meanwhile, according to Rajashekar, a gas agency owner, the price hike is likely to affect the people from the next financial year.
“As majority of them depend on LPG cylinders, the price hike cannot be justified. From the next financial year, the people will have to depend on more unsubsidised cylinders,” he added.
He said the government should put a tab on the escalating price hike of the LPG cylinders keeping in mind the current crisis. “The government should introduce alternative options to replace cooking gas.
Due to power crisis, people cannot use electronic machines like induction cooker and microwave oven. People are queuing up at the agency to get cylinders because of the lack of an alternative option. We are unable to meet the demand owing to the crisis. There are only three cylinders left for the domestic consumers this financial year,” he added.
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