LPG price hiked by Rs 144 per cylinder

February 12: The price of non-subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was exorbitantly hiked on Wednesday. Cooking gas LPG price was hiked by a steep Rs 144.5 per cylinder. The new rates are effective from today.

This was one of the steepest increases in the LPG prices in over five years. A non-subsidised 14.2 kg cylinder will now cost Rs 858.50 in New Delhi, Rs 896 in Kolkata, Rs 829.50 in Mumbai and Rs 881 in Chennai. The current price of LPG in Guwahati stands at Rs.915.

It is likely that the price rise was stalled by the government owing to the Delhi elections as it would have had a detrimental effect on popular sentiment. The increase in prices will further affect the purchasing power of consumers burdened by inflation.

Fuel retailers revise the prices of LPG cylinders every month. Fuel retailers sell LPG cylinders at the market price but the government subsidises 12 cylinders each household per year by providing direct subsidy.