The Trinamool Congress (TMC) women’s wing organized a demonstration in Kolkata on Sunday in response to the recent price hikes of both commercial and domestic LPG cylinders introduced by the Central government. The protest reflects the concerns of citizens regarding the increased cost of essential household fuel, particularly in light of rising living expenses.

The domestic 14.2 kg Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder price has gone up by Rs 60, now retailing at approximately Rs 913 in Delhi. This increase has accentuated public discontent, although sources indicate that despite the rise, LPG prices in India remain lower in comparison to several neighbouring countries. For instance, similar cylinders cost around Rs 1,046 in Pakistan, Rs 1,241 in Sri Lanka, and Rs 1,207 in Nepal.

Impact on Household Cooking Expenses

The latest increase translates to an estimated additional daily cost of 80 paise per family or roughly 20 paise per individual for cooking expenses. The revision coincides with ongoing fluctuations in global LPG prices, which officials describe as a necessary adjustment to ensure both consumer protection and the financial viability of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

Market Linkage and Consumer Costs

Market-derived pricing indicates that despite the recent adjustments, domestic LPG prices remain below what would be expected under current market conditions. On March 6, 2026, the market price for a 14.2 kg cylinder in Delhi was around Rs 987, whereas it was sold to consumers for Rs 853. This price difference suggests that a more substantial increase of Rs 134 per cylinder was warranted; however, the government approved only Rs 60, thereby absorbing the remaining cost to alleviate consumer burden.

Effect on Ujjwala Yojana Beneficiaries

For households benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), the recent price adjustment has only a marginal impact on everyday cooking expenses. The cost of cooking per day using LPG for a PMUY household has increased from approximately Rs 7.31 to Rs 8.11, reflecting a daily increase of less than one rupee.

Dependence on LPG Imports and Global Price Trends

Currently, India imports over 60 percent of its LPG requirements, making domestic pricing closely associated with international benchmarks such as the Saudi Contract Price (CP). Global LPG prices have seen considerable volatility, rising sharply from about USD 415 per metric tonne in 2020-21 to USD 712 per metric tonne in 2022-23. Nevertheless, the government has not fully transferred these global cost increases onto consumers.

Government Measures to Maintain Affordability

In light of persistent high international prices, both the government and OMCs have incurred significant losses to keep the domestic LPG prices affordable for households. This effort is part of ongoing attempts to mitigate the impact of rising energy costs on the general populace.

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