Commercial LPG prices hiked again; Delhi rate up by Rs 42, Kolkata sees Rs 53.50 increase
New Delhi, June 1
Commercial LPG prices have been increased once again, adding to the cost burden faced by restaurants, hotels, caterers and small businesses across the country that rely heavily on cooking gas.
According to the latest revision effective from Monday, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi has been raised by Rs 42, taking the retail selling price to Rs 3,113.50 per cylinder. In Kolkata, the increase is steeper at Rs 53.50, pushing the price to Rs 3,255.50.
The hike comes at a time when businesses are already dealing with higher fuel and transportation expenses. Oil marketing companies have also increased the price of 5-kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders by Rs 11. In Delhi, a 5-kg FTL cylinder will now cost Rs 821.50. However, there has been no change in the prices of domestic LPG cylinders, offering some relief to household consumers.
The latest revision continues a sharp upward trend in commercial LPG prices witnessed since the beginning of the year. In January, a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi was priced at Rs 1,691.50. With a series of monthly revisions, the price has now surged to Rs 3,113.50, marking a rise of more than Rs 1,400 within five months.
The increases have come in successive phases. Commercial LPG prices were raised by Rs 49 in February, followed by another Rs 115 increase in March. The steepest revision came in April when prices jumped by Rs 993 per cylinder. After remaining elevated in May, rates have been revised upward again as of June.
The impact of rising LPG costs is being felt across major cities. A 19-kg commercial cylinder now costs Rs 3,024.50 in Mumbai, Rs 3,232 in Chennai, Rs 3,294 in Hyderabad and Rs 3,322 in Patna, making several urban centres significantly more expensive for commercial fuel users.
The LPG price hike follows recent increases in other fuel categories. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in Delhi and adjoining regions have been raised by Rs 2 per kg, taking the retail rate to Rs 83.09 per kg. Since May 15, CNG prices have increased by a cumulative Rs 6 per kg through four separate revisions.
Petrol and diesel prices have also moved higher in recent weeks. Petrol rates have increased by Rs 7.35 per litre, while diesel prices have risen by Rs 7.53 per litre in multiple rounds. For businesses dependent on both transportation and commercial cooking fuel, the combined impact is likely to further increase operating costs.
Industry observers attribute the sustained rise in commercial LPG prices to ongoing volatility in global energy markets and disruptions in international supply chains, which continue to influence fuel pricing across sectors.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an expat running a small café in Goa, this is tough to manage. Our profit margins are already razor-thin, and we just can't pass on every increase to customers. I wish the government would provide some relief to small businesses instead of just hiking prices every month. The global oil situation is bad, but why is the Indian consumer always paying the price?
At least domestic cylinders are untouched for now, but how long will that last? Every time they say 'no change for household consumers', my heart skips a beat. Even home cooks will be next in line I think. And these price variations across cities are ridiculous: Kolkata paying Rs 3,255 while Delhi gets Rs 3,113? Something is seriously wrong with our pricing system. 🥵
The spike of Rs 993 in April alone was a warning sign. Global oil volatility is real, but don't we have any domestic buffers? India has refineries, strategic reserves — yet the common man bears the full brunt. My friend's catering business is now considering switching to electric stoves, but that requires investment too. It's a vicious cycle for everyone involved.
I run a wedding catering business in Chennai — we use dozens of cylinders for each event. This Rs 3,232 cost is killing us. But the article says 'global volatility' is the cause. Fair enough, but governments in other countries subsidize commercial fuel. Here? Every month a new hike. No GST reduction, no subsidy for MSMEs. We are paying for mistakes in energy policy. 😮💨
V Vikram M