The TMC’s women’s wing protested in Kolkata over the recent LPG price hike. However, government sources noted that despite the Rs 60 increase, prices in India remain lower than in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
The women’s wing of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) staged a protest in Kolkata on Sunday against the Central government over the recent hike in prices of commercial and domestic LPG cylinders.
Price Hike in Context: A Regional Comparison
Despite the Rs 60 increase in the domestic 14.2 kg Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder, LPG prices in India remain lower than in several neighbouring countries, people familiar with the matter told ANI. Following the revision on Saturday, a 14.2 kg cylinder now costs approximately Rs 913 in Delhi, compared with around Rs 1,046 in Pakistan, Rs 1,241 in Sri Lanka, and Rs 1,207 in Nepal.
Minimal Impact on Daily Expenses
People familiar with the matter said the latest hike translates to an increase of about 80 paise per family per day, or roughly 20 paise per person per day for cooking expenses.
Government Balances Market Reality with Consumer Protection
The revision comes amid fluctuations in global LPG prices and is part of what officials describe as a calibrated adjustment aimed at balancing consumer protection with the financial sustainability of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
A person familiar with the matter said that despite the recent revision, domestic LPG prices continue to remain below market-linked levels. The market-determined price of a 14.2 kg cylinder in Delhi on March 6, 2026, was around Rs 987, while it was being sold to consumers at Rs 853, roughly Rs 134 lower than the market price. The pricing calculations indicated that the required increase could be around Rs 134 per cylinder, yet the government approved only Rs 60, absorbing the rest to protect consumers.
Specifics for Ujjwala Yojana Beneficiaries
For Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries, the impact on household cooking expenses remains modest. The estimated cost of cooking per day using LPG for a PMUY household has increased from about Rs 7.31 to Rs 8.11, an increase of less than Rs 1 per day.
Influence of Global Markets on Indian LPG Prices
India imports more than 60 per cent of its LPG requirement, making domestic prices closely linked to international benchmarks such as the Saudi Contract Price (CP).
Global LPG prices have witnessed sharp volatility in recent years, rising from around USD 415 per metric tonne in 2020-21 to USD 712 per metric tonne in 2022-23, though the government has not passed on the full impact of these increases to consumers. Despite elevated international prices, the government and OMCs have absorbed substantial losses to keep household LPG affordable. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)