Commercial LPG Prices Surge Rs 993 in Single-Day Hike After Elections
19-kg cylinder in Delhi now costs Rs 3,071.50; Rahul Gandhi terms increase an 'election bill'
L'essentiel
- Commercial LPG prices in India have surged by Rs 993 for a 19-kg cylinder, taking the Delhi rate to Rs 3,071.50 effective May 1.
- The cumulative increase exceeds Rs 1,300 over three months.
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the hike as an 'election bill' that would burden small businesses like dhabas, tea stalls and restaurants.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
State-run fuel retailers revise LPG prices monthly in line with global benchmarks and currency movements. India imports about 60% of its LPG requirements, making it vulnerable to international price fluctuations.
Commercial LPG prices have surged significantly after the elections. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi calls this an 'election bill'. A 19-kg cylinder now costs over Rs 3,000 in Delhi. This rise impacts small businesses like dhabas and restaurants. Domestic LPG prices remain unchanged. Global energy volatility and tensions in West Asia are cited as reasons for the hike.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised the sharp increase in commercial LPG prices, terming it an "election bill" imposed after the conclusion of polls. In a social media post, Gandhi highlighted a Rs 993 jump in the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder, calling it the steepest single-day increase. He also flagged that prices have risen sharply since February, warning that the burden would fall on small businesses such as tea stalls, dhabas, bakeries and restaurants, eventually impacting consumers.
The latest hike, effective May 1, has taken the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi to Rs 3,071.50, up from Rs 2,078.50 previously. This follows successive increases of Rs 195.50 on April 1 and Rs 114.5 on March 1, taking the cumulative rise to over Rs 1,300 in three months. In contrast, domestic LPG prices remain unchanged, with a 14.2-kg cylinder priced at Rs 913 in Delhi.
State-run fuel retailers such as Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum revise LPG prices on a monthly basis in line with global benchmarks and currency movements. The surge in prices comes amid heightened global energy volatility. Crude oil prices have risen sharply following tensions in West Asia, including disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. India, which imports around 60% of its LPG requirements, remains particularly exposed to such external shocks.
While petrol and diesel prices have remained unchanged after a cut last year, concerns persist over broader fuel inflation. Gandhi also warned that the impact of rising commercial LPG costs could spill over into other fuel segments, further straining household budgets.
Questions ouvertes
- Will domestic LPG prices also be increased soon?
- What specific measures is the government taking to protect small businesses?
- How long will global energy volatility persist?
