Shillong residents to now pay Rs 1,005 per cylinder
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 7: Along with the rest of the country, the price of domestic LPG cylinders in Meghalaya has been increased by Rs 60 with effect from Saturday, pushing the cost of a domestic refill cylinder in the Shillong region from Rs 945 to Rs 1,005.
The price of commercial LPG cylinders has also gone up by Rs 115.
When contacted, Food and Civil Supplies Commissioner and Secretary, Pravin Bakshi, said that the revised rates will be applicable only for refill LPG cylinders.
He also clarified that there has been no change in the guidelines of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, adding that the benefits for Ujjwala beneficiaries will remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, proprietor of Khasi-Pnar Gas Agency, R.L. Blah, informed that the prices have been fixed for the Shillong region excluding the home delivery charge of Rs 25.
According to the agency, the prices for domestic cylinders are: 14.2 kg at Rs 980, 5 kg at Rs 364.50, 10 kg composite cylinder at Rs 708 and 5 kg composite cylinder at Rs 364.50.
For non-domestic cylinders, the prices have been fixed at Rs 2,112.50 for the 19 kg cylinder, Rs 1,504 for 5 kg FTL new connection, Rs 560 for 5 kg FTL refill, Rs 1,543 for 5 kg FTL POS new connection and Rs 599 for 5 kg FTL POS refill. The 5 kg FTL POS composite new connection has been fixed at Rs 3,136 while the refill costs Rs 599.
Similarly, the price for 2 kg FTL POS new connection is Rs 969.50 and Rs 261.50 for refill. The 47.5 kg cylinder has been fixed at Rs 5,275, while the 19 kg Nano Cut costs Rs 2,357.50. The 19 kg XtraTeJ cylinder is priced at Rs 2,134.50 and the 47.5 kg XtraTeJ cylinder at Rs 5,331, according to Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
Blah further informed that the prices outside the Shillong region and district headquarters may vary.
This is the second increase in LPG rates in less than a year, as the spike in global energy rates following the West Asia crisis weighed on the world's third largest energy consumer.
Top central government sources, however, were quick to state that an increase in petrol and diesel prices is not in the offing as state-owned oil firms have enough financial muscle to absorb the warranted increase.
Officials said the increase follows a steep rise in global energy prices since the US and Israel attack on Iran last weekend triggered a wider military conflict in the oil and gas-rich Middle East.
The conflict has led to a near halt in tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has sharply curtailed energy shipments from the region, triggering a spike in global oil and gas prices. (With inputs from PTI)