LPG, as well as ATF prices, are revised on 1st of every month based on the average international rate for benchmark fuel and foreign exchange rate in the preceding month.
According to Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) website, which retails Indane LPG cylinders, with effect from January 1, the price of a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder has now been revised to Rs 684.50 per cylinder from Rs 695 per cylinder in Mumbai. Similarly, the prices in Kolkata and Chennai have also been revised to Rs 747 and Rs 734 per cylinder, respectively. The prices of 19-kilogram cylinders have also been revised upwards to Rs 1,190 in Mumbai, Rs 1,308 in Kolkata, Rs 1,363 in Chennai, according to Indian Oil.
Also, the price of kerosene sold through the public distribution system (PDS) was increased by 26 paise to Rs 35.58 per litre in Mumbai. This is in accordance with the 2016 decision to raise rates by 25 paise a litre every month till subsidy on the fuel is eliminated. Delhi has been declared kerosene-free and no PDS kerosene is sold in the national capital.
Meanwhile, price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), used to power aeroplanes, was raised by Rs 1,637.25 per kilolitre, or 2.6 per cent, to Rs 64,323.76 per kl in Delhi, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers. This is the second straight monthly increase in rates warranted due to firming up of prices in the international market.
In India, which is dependent on imports to meet 84 per cent of its oil needs, prices of domestic fuels are at par with benchmark international prices. ATF price was on December 1 increased by a marginal Rs 13.88 per kl. The two back-to-back increases have push jet fuel prices to their highest since June 2019.
The hike will add to the burden of cash strapped airlines that are already reeling under pressure from cut-throat competition in the sector.
Despite the increase, at Rs 64.32 per litre ATF costs less than petrol and diesel. A litre of petrol in the national capital comes for Rs 75.14 while diesel is priced at Rs 67.96 a litre.
(with inputs from agencies)