LPG Cylinder Price Hike: ₹50 Increase Announced, Ujjwala Beneficiaries Also Affected

LPG Price Update:
The Central Government has announced a ₹50 hike in LPG cylinder prices, delivering a financial blow to households across India. Beneficiaries under the Ujjwala scheme will now have to pay ₹550 per cylinder, while other consumers will pay ₹853. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized that this hike is temporary and will be reviewed periodically. He also clarified that this move will not impact petrol and diesel prices and is aimed at compensating oil companies for their losses.

Who Will Pay How Much Now?

Following the ₹50 price hike:

• Ujjwala Yojana Beneficiaries: Will now pay ₹550 per LPG cylinder (earlier ₹500).

• Regular Consumers: Will now pay ₹853 per cylinder (earlier ₹803).

Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that the decision is temporary and the government will review it every 2–3 weeks to assess any changes needed.

Why Was the Price Increased?

The minister explained that the hike in LPG prices — along with the recent increase in excise duty — is not aimed at burdening consumers. Instead, the primary objective is to recover the ₹43,000 crore loss suffered by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the gas sector.

The government is trying to cover these losses without directly passing the burden onto everyday consumers when it comes to petrol and diesel.

Crude Oil Prices Remain Volatile

This decision comes at a time when:

• Global crude oil prices are fluctuating sharply.

• Domestic questions are being raised about gas subsidies.

• The government is trying to protect both consumer interests and company balance sheets.

Puri reassured the public that the government is committed to protecting consumer interests and will continue to regularly review gas prices.

What This Means for You

• Short-Term: Expect a slight increase in your kitchen budget due to higher LPG costs.

• Medium-Term: Watch for government reviews every few weeks, which could bring adjustments (up or down).

• Big Picture: The move helps stabilize oil companies' finances, but consumers are hoping for future price relief.

It remains to be seen whether the government will roll back the hike if global oil markets stabilize in the coming weeks.