Commercial LPG refill costlier by Rs 105, no change in domestic cylinders – Times of India

NEW DELHI: State-run fuel retailers on Tuesday raised by Rs 105 to Rs 2,012 the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders but left rates of 14.2kg refills for households unchanged under government diktat. This is the highest price for a commercial cylinder, used by eateries, caterers and hotels, since December.
The price of non-subsidised 5-kg refills, called ‘Chhotua’, or the little one, was also raised to Rs 569 each. The government had launched the refill with much fanfare and said it was for the convenience of migrants, professionals and students.
The government, which controls the price of LPG, stopped giving subsidy on domestic refills used by general category consumers.
The government has not allowed an increase in LPG prices since October. This is similar to petrol and diesel prices, which have been left unchanged by the state-run retailers under an informal government diktat since November even though crude prices have shot through the roof.
Whether formal or informal, the price freeze amid a sharp increase in benchmark rates is guided by the political expediency of not giving the opposition a handle against the government during polls in key states. This means that price of petrol, diesel and LPG for households prices are set to go up once polling is over on March 7, except if the government restores subsidy on the kitchen fuel.