The Centre has reduced the number of subsidised domestic LPG cylinders available to households from nine to four per year, according to reports.
The move comes shortly after the price of a 14.2-kg cooking gas cylinder was increased by ₹29.The central government currently provides a subsidy of ₹300 per cylinder to eligible consumers.
Defending the decision, Petroleum Ministry Additional Secretary Praveen M. Khanuja said public sector oil marketing companies are incurring losses of around ₹700 per LPG cylinder, ₹6 per litre of petrol and ₹30 per litre of diesel. He added that, compared to prevailing market rates, consumers continue to receive LPG cylinders at a significantly subsidised price.
Reports indicate that the decision was influenced by rising international LPG prices amid the continuing crisis in West Asia. According to data from the Petroleum Ministry, the market price of a domestic LPG cylinder has now crossed ₹1,600.
The reduction in the number of subsidised cylinders is expected to impact household cooking fuel expenses, particularly for families that rely heavily on LPG throughout the year.
