Trendy Insights
LPG Gas Cylinder Prices Cut by Rs 200: A Festive Gift for Indian Households
New Delhi, Aug 30: The government has announced a Rs 200 per cylinder cut for all domestic customers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from August 30, 2023. The move comes ahead of the festive season, when the demand for cooking gas usually rises.
The new price of a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder in Delhi is Rs 903, down from Rs 1,103 earlier. The price for Ujjwala beneficiaries, who receive an additional subsidy of Rs 200 per cylinder under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), is Rs 703 . The prices may change slightly in different cities depending on local taxes and transportation costs .
The decision to slash the LPG prices has been greeted by many consumers, who had been coping with the rising fuel costs amid the pandemic. The prices of LPG cylinders had more than doubled since May 2020, when they were Rs 497 in Delhi . Many households had lowered their consumption of LPG or switched to alternative fuels such as wood or kerosene .
“I am very happy with the price cut. It will help me save some money and buy some sweets and gifts for my family during Diwali,” said Sunita Devi, a homemaker from Noida.
However, some opposition parties have denounced the government’s move as a “election jumla” or a political gimmick, ahead of the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur next year . They have accused the government of making profits from the common people by increasing the excise duty on petrol and diesel, which are still at record high levels .
“The government is trying to trick the people by giving them a small relief on LPG after exploiting them for years. This is nothing but a pre-poll stunt to woo the voters. The people will not fall for this trap and will teach the government a lesson in the elections,” said Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress party .
The government has defended its move as a “gift from PM Narendra Modi to the women of the country” on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and Onam . It has also claimed that it has provided free LPG cylinders to over 8 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries during the lockdown period under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) .
“The government is committed to providing affordable and clean energy to every household in the country. The reduction in LPG prices is a reflection of our concern for the welfare of the poor and middle class. This will also boost the economy and create more jobs in the LPG sector,” said Dharmendra Pradhan, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas .