Indian Oil raised the prices of 19 kg commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in Delhi and Kolkata effective June 1, 2024 [5].
These price adjustments impact commercial businesses and vendors who rely on LPG for daily operations. Rising energy costs often lead to increased prices for consumer goods and services across urban centers.
In Delhi, the price of a commercial cylinder increased by Rs 42 [3]. This brings the total cost of a 19 kg cylinder in the capital to Rs 3,113.50 [1].
Kolkata saw a more significant increase, with prices rising by Rs 53.50 [4]. The updated rate for a commercial cylinder in Kolkata is now Rs 3,255.50 [2].
The price hikes are attributed to market pressures resulting from the Iran-related war [6]. Officials said that these measures are necessary to strengthen energy security amid global instability [6].
Despite the increase in commercial rates, there was no change in domestic LPG cylinder prices [7]. This distinction ensures that household energy costs remain stable while the commercial sector absorbs the volatility of the global energy market.
“Commercial LPG cylinder price increased by Rs 42 in Delhi and Rs 53.5 in Kolkata”
The targeted increase in commercial LPG rates reflects the vulnerability of India's energy imports to geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East. By shielding domestic consumers from these hikes while raising commercial prices, the government is attempting to balance national energy security with the need to prevent widespread household inflation.
