LPG price crosses ₹1,000 for the first time in 70 years; Modi govt silent

The cost of non-subsidised domestic LPG (14.2-kg cylinder) is hovering around the ₹1,000 mark in most regions of Karnataka, and in Bidar a cylinder is being sold at ₹1,015.5. In Bengaluru, a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder is sold at ₹941 to a non-subsidised customer, while it is sold at ₹921 at Mangaluru (closer to LPG import facility as well as bottling plant), ₹962 at Hubballi and ₹956 at Belagavi. Prices were ₹654, ₹630, ₹670 and ₹666 a cylinder at these places, respectively, in April this year, while it was ₹721 in Bidar.

According LPG requirements in Bidar are catered to by the Belagavi bottling plant. Karnataka has 11 such plants across the State established by three public sector oil marketing companies.

It’s not just in Karnataka, in Nitish Kumar-led Bihar, a domestic non-subsidised cylinder costs ₹1041.5.

Criticising the Modi government over the constant rise in price, Sitaram Yechury of CPI(M) said, “LPG crosses ₹1000. 70 Saal mein pehli baar. Another of Modi’s grand achievements.”

This steep hike comes even as petrol and diesel prices have seen about ₹7.5 and ₹4 reduction, respectively, since October 5 following reduction in international crude prices.

Domestic LPG prices are decided on a monthly basis unlike petrol and diesel, which are done on a daily basis.

Besides, domestic LPG distributors’ commission too increased from ₹48.89 and ₹24.20 for 14.2-kg and 5-kg cylinders respectively, to ₹50.58 and ₹25.29 respectively. The prices should come down, effective December 2018.

In Delhi, an LPG cylinder is ₹939, while in November 2017, it was ₹649