New Delhi: The price of 19 kg commercial cooking gas has been increased today by Rs 250 per cylinder. With the increase in rates, a 19kg commercial cylinder will now cost Rs 2253 effective from today.
According to an ANI report, there is no increase in the prices of domestic gas cylinders. In the past two months, the price of a 19-kg LPG cylinder price hiked by Rs 346/cylinder. Earlier on March 1, the rate of a 19 kg commercial cylinder was increased by Rs 105 and then on March 22, its price was reduced by Rs 9.
The price of domestic LPG cylinders was also increased on March 22 by Rs 50 and after the hike, a 14.2 kg non-subsidised LPG cylinder now costs Rs 949.50 in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Petrol and diesel prices have been raised nine times in the last 11 days, totalling Rs 6.4 per litre while cooking gas LPG rates too have gone up by Rs 50 per cylinder. The latest gas price hike will further fuel inflation. There has been no increase in fuel rates today.
Also, the government on Thursday more than doubled the price of natural gas that is used to produce electricity, make fertilisers, turned into CNG and piped to household kitchens for cooking, on the back of a spike in global energy prices.
The price of gas produced from old regulated fields, such as the nation's largest gas field of Bassein of ONGC, will rise to a record high of USD 6.10 per million British thermal unit (mmBtu) from the current USD 2.90 per mmBtu, according to the oil ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC).
The new price, which is likely to result in a hike in CNG and piped cooking gas rates, will be for six months beginning April 1.
These are the highest prices ever paid to Indian gas producers.
The government sets the price of gas every six months -- on April 1 and October 1 -- each year based on rates prevalent in gas surplus nations such as the US, Canada and Russia.
The increase in gas price is likely to result in a 10-15 per cent rise in CNG and piped cooking gas rates in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, according to a PTI report.