LPG Price: Commercial gas cylinder becomes cheaper by ₹ 600? Know the official rates of government oil companies and the latest prices of domestic cylinders.

New Delhi. Just before the festive season, many claims are being made on social media and internet regarding the prices of LPG and commercial LPG cylinders. Recently, the news is becoming increasingly viral that the price of 19 kg commercial gas cylinder has decreased by ₹ 600. However, when official records of government oil marketing companies (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL) and commodity market data are examined, the actual truth of this claim turns out to be different.

The reality is that oil companies have not announced any major cut of ₹ 600 in the official prices of commercial gas cylinders at the national level. On September 1, companies had made a slight increase of about ₹ 9.50 to ₹ 11.50 per cylinder on 19 kg commercial cylinders.

The news of ‘cheaper cylinder up to ₹ 600’ circulating in social media and local media is actually related to the ground reality of some rural towns and semi-urban areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

• Official vs ground price: The fixed government rate for a 19 kg commercial cylinder in Kushinagar, Deoria and surrounding areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh is around ₹2,946. But locally many distributors and agencies are selling these cylinders between ₹2,400 to ₹2,700. This means that huge discounts ranging from ₹ 250 to ₹ 550-₹ 600 are being given on the official rate.

• Supply Improvement and Inventory Clearance: Some time ago, due to tensions in West Asia and the Red Sea, there was pressure in the supply chain of commercial gas. After India increased LPG imports from alternative countries like the US, Russia and Australia, the supply in the country has become stronger than usual. To clear excess stock and attract hotel-dhaba operators, many distributors are selling cylinders at huge discounts by cutting their commission margins.

• Caution regarding safety: Experts say that whenever commercial cylinders are sold unauthorized at huge discounts, buyers should check the gross weight and purity of the seal, so that they do not fall victim to low gas or adulteration.

It is a matter of relief for common families that there has been no change in the prices of 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder. Domestic cylinder prices have remained completely stable since the increase of ₹29 in June.

Latest prices of domestic LPG cylinders in major metros of the country:

The official metro rates for 19 kg blue commercial cylinders used in restaurants, confectionaries, catering and industrial units are as follows:

State-run oil companies review gas cylinder prices on the 1st of every month based on international benchmark prices and the exchange rate of the rupee against the dollar.

In view of the recent softening of international crude oil prices, the industry is hopeful that there may be some relief in the official prices of commercial LPG in the monthly revision to be held on October 1. Till then, consumers should avoid any unofficial rumor and consider only the price recorded on the official IOCL portal or receipt from authorized gas distributors as valid.