By The Sampadak Express
Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Monday that the price of cooking gas has been increased by ₹50 per cylinder. This hike affects both Ujjwala Scheme beneficiaries and general category customers.
The price of a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder will rise from ₹803 to ₹853 for general consumers, while Ujjwala beneficiaries will now pay ₹553, up from ₹503 per cylinder.
In a statement, Puri explained, “The price per cylinder of LPG will increase by ₹50. For PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana) beneficiaries, it will go up from ₹500 to ₹550, and for others, it will rise from ₹803 to ₹853.”
The Minister assured that the price hike would be regularly reviewed every 2-3 weeks, emphasizing that changes in excise duties would not be passed on to consumers for petrol and diesel.
He further clarified, “The international price of crude oil has fallen to around $60 per barrel, but our oil marketing companies are carrying inventories priced at an average of $75 per barrel. Therefore, consumers can expect prices of petrol and diesel to adjust in line with global trends.”
Excise Duty Hiked for Petrol and Diesel
Additionally, the Union government raised excise duties on petrol and diesel by ₹2 per litre. The revised excise duty will come into effect from April 8, 2025, with the excise duty on petrol increasing to ₹13 per litre and diesel to ₹10 per litre.
However, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas clarified that retail prices for petrol and diesel will remain unchanged. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry confirmed, “PSU Oil Marketing Companies have informed that there will be no increase in retail prices of petrol and diesel, despite the hike in excise duties.”
This announcement comes amid fluctuating global crude prices, with crude oil falling from $83 per barrel in January to around $75. Oil marketing companies are expected to adjust retail prices based on these international market shifts.
Key Points:
Cooking gas price hiked by ₹50 per cylinder for both Ujjwala and general consumers.
14.2-kg LPG cylinder now costs ₹853 for general users, ₹553 for Ujjwala beneficiaries.
Excise duties on petrol and diesel raised by ₹2 per litre, effective from April 8, 2025.
No change in retail prices of petrol and diesel despite excise duty hike.
