Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have announced a significant hike in the prices of commercial mini liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, effective immediately. The price of a 19 kg commercial mini LPG cylinder has been increased by Rs 993, while the 5 kg variant has seen a hike of Rs 261. This move is expected to impact small and medium businesses that rely on these cylinders for their operations, including restaurants, hotels, and street food vendors.
Revised Prices Across Cities
The revised prices vary across major cities due to differences in local taxes and transportation costs. In Delhi, the 19 kg cylinder now costs Rs 2,253, up from Rs 1,260 earlier, marking a steep increase of Rs 993. Similarly, in Mumbai, the price has risen to Rs 2,303 from Rs 1,310. The 5 kg cylinder in Delhi now costs Rs 799, compared to Rs 538 previously, an increase of Rs 261. In Kolkata, the 5 kg cylinder is priced at Rs 828, up from Rs 567.
Impact on Businesses
The price hike is likely to put additional financial pressure on small businesses already grappling with rising input costs. Many eateries and small-scale industries use commercial LPG for cooking and heating purposes. The increased cost may force them to either absorb the expense or pass it on to consumers, potentially leading to higher prices for food and services. Industry bodies have expressed concern over the frequency of such hikes and have urged the government to consider measures to stabilize LPG prices.
This is the first revision in commercial mini LPG prices in recent months. The OMCs revise LPG prices on a monthly basis based on international crude oil prices and exchange rates. The latest hike comes amid a global surge in energy prices, which has also led to increases in domestic LPG and other fuel prices.
