The price of subsidised cooking gas (LPG) has increased by Nu 4 each in June and July this year.

With the last hike on July 4 midnight, the price of a 14.2kg LPG cylinder until yesterday evening was Nu 469 in Phuentsholing.

The hike in the price is as per the notice from the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to the trade department. The department conveyed the message to the regional offices, LPG depot officials in Phuentsholing said.

This hike comes after the Indian government authorised its state-run oil companies to raise subsidised cooking gas prices by Rs 4 a cylinder every month to eliminate all subsidies by March 2018.

Initially, the Indian government, according to reports in India, had authorised to increase by Rs 2 every month. Later, the government authorised the oil companies to hike by Rs 4 every month to reduce the government subsidy.

This means, it is likely that the price will increase for this month too. However, officials from the two of the three fuel depots Kuensel visited yesterday said they have not received any further notice from the regional trade office about the next hike or change in price.

Regional director Pem Bidha said the prices are fixed by the department in Thimphu. “We only implement the rate we receive,” she said.  Trade officials in Thimphu could not be contacted.

Price for cooking gas has been increasing since April this year. Until March this year, the price for a cylinder was Nu 450.

In April, the price increased by Nu six in Phuentsholing gas depots. In the following month of May, the price increased to Nu 461 and to Nu 465 in June.

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

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