Chilly weather: Firewood price jumps, fuelled by high LPG rates

Non-availability of natural gas affecting residents during winter season.

ISLAMABAD: After an increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and the non-availability of natural gas, prices of firewood have increased to Rs.900 per 40 kilogramme in the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.   

With the hike in rate of LPG by Rs46 per kilogramme a few days ago, the price of dry wood has increased from Rs750 to Rs900 per 40 kg and Rs450 to Rs600 for wet wood, said a customer.

With no assurance of smooth supply of natural gas and increase in the prices of LPG , people have started using firewood to run their stoves and dealers are taking full advantage of the situation, he added.

Talking to APP, a resident Mukhtar Ahmed complained that an abrupt rise in LPG and firewood prices had the residents, who depend on it for cooking and heating during the winter season.

He said that retailers were earning a higher profit by overcharging the masses as they are selling the commodity on higher prices.

Zahid Khan, also a resident, said that they were unable buy LPG and firewood due to higher prices in absence of natural gas for stoves.

A firewood trader, Umair Ali, said that the jump in price of firewood was because of huge transportation cost. The residents urged the authorities concerned to take action against the sudden increase in firewood prices.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2013.

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