The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has spiked by Rs. 50 per kilogram, marking a significant increase that is affecting both domestic and commercial consumers.
Irfan Khokhar, Chairman of the LPG Distributors Association, attributes this price hike to unauthorized practices by LPG marketing companies and plant mafias. According to Khokhar, these entities have begun selling LPG at inflated rates rather than adhering to government-mandated prices.
Khokhar expressed concern over rampant black marketing across the country, emphasizing that consumers are unable to procure LPG at official rates. Previously priced at Rs. 234.60 per kilogram, LPG is now being retailed between Rs. 280 and Rs. 285 per kilogram in the market.
In the aftermath of this increase, the cost of domestic cylinders has surged to Rs. 3,370 from Rs. 2,770, while commercial cylinders are now being sold at Rs. 12,435, up from Rs. 10,715. This escalation poses a significant financial burden on households and businesses alike.
The chairman criticized the government for yielding to the influence of the gas mafia, asserting that unless decisive action is taken against these powerful entities, the menace of black marketing will persist unchecked. Khokhar’s comments underscore the pressing need for regulatory measures to safeguard fair pricing and ensure accessibility to essential energy resources.
