Government withdraws monthly LPG price hike order

The government has withdrawn its decision to raise liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices by Rs 4 per cylinder per month as the move is contrary to its Ujjwala scheme for providing free cooking gas connections to the poor. In May 2017, the government had ordered public sector oil marketing companies to raise domestic cooking gas prices by Rs 4 per cylinder every month beginning June 2017 with a view to eliminating subsidies by March 2018. However, the order was withdrawn in October 2017. Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited have not raised LPG prices since October 2017.