The Centre told the Lok Sabha on Thursday that domestic Liquified Petroleum Gas can be sold at even more affordable rates if the international price of the fuel comes down from its current price of 750 dollars a tonne.Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said in the Lok Sabha today that the international price of LPG is determined by “a variety of factors” and this will be past and when much more gas will be available according to the analysis I have read. But we will have to navigate through the next two or three years the kind of global situation as it exists today and as its developing.”Hardeep Singh replied to the questions of members who wanted to know why the price of domestic gas cylinders was not being reduced. He said the government is sensitive to the needs of the consumers, especially the most vulnerable. Also said, We did not allow the price of domestic LPG to increase. The Saudi contract price increased by 330 percent, yet the increase in prices for household items was very small. He further added, “It will be appreciated if the international Saudi contract price could settle down to below 750 dollars per metric ton, allowing domestic LPG to be sold at even more affordable rates.”Remarkably, the last time the prices of LPG domestic gas were increased was in July 2022. It was increased four times last year which was around Rs 153.50. First, the prices were hiked in March 2022 by Rs 50, then, Rs 50 again, then Rs 3.50 was increased in May and lastly, it was increased in July. Apart from this, the commercial LPG cylinders also faced the same situation where the prices were hiked by Rs 25 from this new year.
