The price of 19 kilograms commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi has increased by ₹42 and is now ₹3,113.5 from June 1 onwards. The effect on other prominent cities should not be ruled out, as the price of commercial cylinders in Kolkata has been increased by ₹53.5 to ₹3,255.5. On the other hand, the prices of 5 kilograms Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders have gone up by ₹11, making the total prices in Delhi ₹821.5. But, in any case, it is good news for domestic users as there has been no change in the prices of domestic cylinders.
This marks the second price hike since May 1, when oil marketing companies implemented a sharp increase of ₹993 per cylinder due to global supply disruptions triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The latest revision coincides with ongoing government initiatives to fortify the nation’s fuel security and secure stable reserves of both petroleum products and cooking gas.
While addressing an inter-ministry briefing on Friday, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, confirmed that strategic reserves are currently being constructed and asked oil marketing firms to stock LPG for at least 30 days. She further assured the people that there were sufficient quantities of petrol, diesel, natural gas, and LPG available in the country, with oil refineries working at full capacity. Indeed, the LPG output has reached a record of nearly 90 daily metric tonnes per day.
Nevertheless, Sharma pointed out that authorities have detected unusual sales spikes at various retail stations, influenced by seasonal agricultural demand and bulk hoarding. Aggregate fuel sales have surged by more than 30 per cent, with petrol sales doubling in 14 specific districts. As a means of dealing with illegal diversion and stockpiling, increased monitoring and raids have been carried out. In four days, 6,500 raids were done on LPG suppliers that resulted in five FIRs and two arrests. Similarly, 900 checks done at petrol pumps in two days produced a seizure of 417 litters of petrol and 75,715 litters of diesel along with 12 FIRs and 15 arrests.
Concerning the present availability of LPG, Sharma stated that the daily demand for it is approximately 72,000 metric tons, whereas the production within the nation's refineries amounts to 50,000–52,000 metric tons daily. Thus, Sharma highlighted that the problem of late deliveries of LPG has been minimised to 4.5 days' delay.
Also read: One home, one LPG connection rule from June 1
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