New Delhi: The price of a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder has been increased by ₹29 , pushing the retail price in Delhi from ₹913 to ₹942. The latest revision, effective immediately, marks the second hike in three months and has reignited a political battle between the BJP led Centre and opposition parties over inflation and the rising cost of living.
According to oil marketing companies, the increase comes amid continued pressure from international energy markets and rising import costs. Earlier, domestic LPG prices had already been raised by ₹60 in March, meaning consumers are now paying ₹89 more per cylinder than they were three months ago.
The Union Petroleum Ministry defended the decision, stating that domestic LPG prices remain heavily subsidised compared to the actual cost of supply. The ministry said that while a general consumer in Delhi now pays ₹942 per cylinder, the real supply cost has crossed ₹1,600. It also highlighted that beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) continue to receive a subsidy of ₹300 per cylinder on the first four refills annually, effectively reducing their cost to ₹642 per cylinder.
Government officials further argued that India continues to maintain some of the world’s lowest household LPG prices despite fluctuations in global energy markets. The ministry attributed the latest hike partly to geopolitical tensions in West Asia and rising international fuel prices, which have increased the financial burden on state run oil companies. Reports indicate that oil marketing companies are still incurring losses of nearly ₹700 on every domestic LPG cylinder sold, despite recent revisions.
However, the opposition has launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government. The Congress party accused the Centre of imposing additional financial stress on households already struggling with inflation. Congress leaders revived their “Inflation Man Modi” criticism, alleging that the government is failing to shield ordinary citizens from repeated price increases.
Other opposition parties also questioned the timing of the hike, arguing that rising LPG costs disproportionately affect women, middle class families and low income households. Critics claimed that despite promises of affordable cooking fuel, consumers are now paying close to ₹1,000 for a cylinder in several parts of the country.
The price increase comes just days after commercial LPG cylinders were also made costlier. The price of a 19 kg commercial cylinder was raised by ₹42 to ₹53.50, taking its rate in Delhi to ₹3,113.50, a move expected to impact restaurants, hotels and small businesses. Analysts warn that higher commercial fuel costs could eventually add to inflationary pressures across sectors.
With domestic cooking gas now costlier for the second time this year, the debate over fuel pricing, subsidies and inflation is expected to remain a major political issue in the months ahead. While the government insists the hike is necessary to balance rising global costs and protect oil companies from mounting losses, opposition parties maintain that the increase places an unfair burden on millions of Indian households.
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