The winter season is yet to set in but residents of Jhelum are facing a sudden hike in gas cylinder prices, with the cost of a domestic cylinder jumping by up to Rs500.
Following the sudden surge, domestic gas cylinder prices rose to Rs3,300 and as high as Rs3,400 in rural areas.
Citizens allege that a lack of oversight from local authorities has allowed gas dealers to raise prices unchecked, leaving households struggling to afford this essential item.
With cold weather setting in, locals fear that prices may continue to rise, further burdening consumers. While the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) officially adjusts rates only once a month, reports indicate that local dealers are inflating prices daily. The practice is allegedly enabled by what residents describe as the "laxity" of the local administration.
Frustrated by the soaring prices, citizens are calling on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the deputy commissioner of Jhelum to take immediate action to curb these arbitrary increases and to ensure the local administration actively enforces government-set rates.
They also warned of agitation if their demands go unmet before the winter season when gas prices spike and supply issues aggravate.
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