ISLAMABAD — The government has raised the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Rs10, bringing the new rate to Rs240 per kilogram, as the inflation-stricken masses struggle to adapt their monthly budgets amid dwindling buying power.
So the smaller cylinder for residential use will cost Rs2,830, while the larger one for commercial usage would cost Rs10,900.
The action comes after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) raised the tariff for Sui Northern Gas by 50% and Sui Southern Gas by 42% on average the day before.
Sui Northern gas customers would pay an extra Rs415.55 per MMBtu (Metric Million British Thermal Unit), while Sui Southern customers will pay an additional Rs417 MMBtu.
However, the government’s incapacity to maintain price regulation means that anyone can charge you whatever he wants. As a result of illegal marketing, the true price of LPG in the country’s isolated mountainous regions has reached Rs370 per kilogram.
It is worth noting that LPG has been a popular fuel for individuals living remote from the main gas distribution system since the 1980s, when the fuel was introduced on a significant scale in the country.
It also contributes to forest preservation since families have transitioned away from wood usage entirely or partially. However, making LPG more expensive means that it is no longer regarded a cheap fuel as it once was, prompting many to curtail their usage.
Smaller restaurants or roadside cafes, like the bigger ones catering to the demands of high-end clientele, are also reliant on LPG due to Sui Northern and Sui Southern’s lower supply and increased demand.
As a result, the hundreds of thousands of workers or members of the working class who live in cities are also adversely affected by the entire price increase, including the LPG.
At the same time, the NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) delivered a reserved decision on the federal government’s request for a rise in power pricing, in which it backed the action and set new tariffs for different categories of users.
According to Nepra’s decision, the new price for home users utilizing up to 100 units of energy per month would increase by Rs3 and by Rs4 for those consuming 101 to 200 units of electricity per month. As a result of the current increase, the new prices for the two categories are now Rs16.48 and Rs22.95 per unit, respectively.