BENGALURU: The price of LPG in the city has gone up from Rs 585 for a 14.2kg cylinder in May 2020 to a record Rs 902.50 now, up Rs 317.50 in just 17 months.
On Wednesday, the price was increased by Rs 15. Oil industry sources said the price could touch Rs 1,000 in a few months. Delivery personnel collect an extra Rs 20-Rs 50 for delivering the cylinder home.
As per government policy, 12 cylinders of 14.2kg each are provided to every eligible household at subsidised rate in a year.
The subsidy is supposed to be provided through direct benefit transfer to bank accounts of customers. However, many consumers are complaining they’ve not been getting the subsidy since May 2020.
Many homemakers are now contemplating switching to electric stoves. “It’s unfair to hike the price of LPG cylinders, especially during pandemic and festive season. Many people have had pay cuts or lost jobs during Covid. Consumption of LPG has increased due to work from home, online classes and festive season. I plan to switch to an induction stove but electricity is not cheap either,” said Ashwini K, a homemaker in Koramangala.
Urban poor are the worst affected. While many people in rural areas have shifted to firewood and kerosene from LPG, there are few alternatives for the poor and middle class in urban areas. Several people who received free LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana are finding it difficult to purchase refills.
Rupali, a domestic help from West Bengal who works in Indiranagar, said: “In rural areas, we could use firewood but here we don’t have an alternative. I stay in a rented place and the house owner doesn’t allow me to use firewood. My earnings have reduced after Covid. I don’t know how I’ll manage in the coming months. I’m not receiving any subsidy either.”
The price of commercial cylinders of 19kg has also increased to Rs 1794.50 which has affected small businesses and roadside eateries. However, many are illegally using domestic cylinders.
