Non-subsidised LPG price hiked by Rs 19; aviation fuel cost up 2.6%

New Delhi, January 1

Jet fuel or ATF price was on Wednesday hiked by 2.6 per cent and that of non-subsidised cooking gas LPG by Rs 19 per cylinder on the back of a rise in international rates.

Price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), used to power aeroplanes, was raised by Rs 1,637.25 per kilolitre, or 2.6 per cent, to Rs 64,323.76 per kl in Delhi, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers.

This is the second straight monthly increase in rates warranted due to firming up of prices in the international market.

In India, which is dependent on imports to meet 84 per cent of its oil needs, prices of domestic fuels are at par with benchmark international prices.

ATF price was on December 1 increased by a marginal Rs 13.88 per kl.

The two back-to-back increases have push jet fuel prices to their highest since June 2019.

The hike will add to the burden of cash strapped airlines that are already reeling under pressure from cut-throat competition in the sector.

Despite the increase, at Rs 64.32 per litre ATF costs less than petrol and diesel. A litre of petrol in the national capital comes for Rs 75.14 while diesel is priced at Rs 67.96 a litre.

Simultaneously, oil companies also raised the price of non-subsidised LPG to Rs 714 per 14.2-kg cylinder from Rs 695 previously.

This is the fifth straight monthly increase in cooking gas prices since September 2019. In all, non-subsidised cooking gas prices have gone up by Rs 139.50 per cylinder in the last five months.

Non-subsidised LPG is the gas that consumers buy after exhausting their quota of 12 cylinders of 14.2-kg at sub-market or subsidised rates of Rs 495.86.

LPG, as well as ATF prices, are revised on 1st of every month based on the average international rate for benchmark fuel and foreign exchange rate in the preceding month.

Also, the price of kerosene sold through the public distribution system (PDS) was increased by 26 paise to Rs 35.58 per litre in Mumbai.

This is in accordance with the 2016 decision to raise rates by 25 paise a litre every month till subsidy on the fuel is eliminated.

Delhi has been declared kerosene-free and no PDS kerosene is sold in the national capital.

LPG price hike fuels Twitterati anger

As the price of non-subsidised LPG cylinder was hiked by Rs 19, Twitterati vented their anger and even posted funny comments to let their displeasure known.

#Rs19 trended on Twitter, with a few users reminding the government of the price of cooking gas during the earlier Congress rule.

One user wrote: “Till December 31, a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder was priced at Rs 695 but now it is Rs 714. Where is @smritiirani now?” One user tweeted: “This is a kind of New Year greeting from the Modi government. Enjoy with Rashtrawad. #RailwayFare, LPG cylinder, ATF price up; non-subsidised LPG price hiked by Rs 19.”

A user posted: “Can we please have a list of MPs who have given up subsidy on LPG cylinders on the request of the Prime Minister? Or are they enjoying subsidy? Rs 19 #LPGSubsidy.” A post read: “What a beautiful new year gift for middle-class families! Price of LPG cylinder has been hiked by Rs 19 #acchedinaagye.”

One Twitter user commented: “New Year gift by the Modi government. LPG price increased by Rs 19. The BJP government asked us to give up LPG subsidy but BJP MPs and MLAs enjoy free food, accommodation, petrol, electricity, phone, travel allowances. #Welcome2020 #HappyNewYear #NewYear2020 #HappyNew2020 #Happy2020.”

One user recalled: “I remember when the Congress was routed and the BJP came to power, a gas cylinder costs Rs 430. And now it’s Rs 714.” One user posted an old clip of BJP leader Smriti Irani and wrote: @smritiirani takes a dig at PM @narendramodi & government for price hike & false promises. #HNY2k20.” — PTI/IANS