Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced a cut of Rs 100 per cylinder in cooking gas LPG price on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. The price reduction, which comes just days before the likely announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is set to benefit nearly 33 crore domestic consumers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
LPG price cut to ease financial burden
Modi said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the decision was taken to ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country, especially benefiting women. “By making cooking gas more affordable, we also aim to support the well-being of families and ensure a healthier environment. This is in line with our commitment to empowering women and ensuring ‘Ease of Living’ for them,” he said.
With this price reduction, the standard 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder would cost Rs 803 in Delhi, Rs 802.50 in Mumbai, Rs 829 in Kolkata, and RS 818.50 in Chennai. The prices vary from state to state depending on the incidence of local taxes.
LPG price cut to benefit Ujjwala beneficiaries
For over 10 crore poor households covered under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), the price cut would be in addition to the existing subsidy of Rs 300 per cylinder. “Ujjwala beneficiaries will now get LPG cylinders for only Rs 503 and (other) consumers will get it only for Rs 803,” Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in a post on X.
The Union Cabinet had approved the continuation of the PMUY subsidy of Rs 300 per cylinder for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25) at an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore on Thursday.
LPG price cut due to easing of international oil and gas prices
The reduction has been made possible because of easing of international oil and gas prices, against which domestic fuel rates are benchmarked. However, no change in petrol and diesel prices was announced. Petrol and diesel prices continue to be on freeze for a record 23 months now.
This is the second instance of the government announcing a reduction in LPG prices for households in the current fiscal. Ahead of the Assembly polls in five states, a price cut of Rs 200 per cylinder was announced on August 29.
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