Distributors’ association slams increase in LPG price
Dismisses impression regarding shortage of commodity.
ISLAMABAD:
The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) witnessed a second successive increase of Rs5 in two days, necessitating effective measures to arrest the unbridled rising trend in its price.
The increased rate, described as ‘unjustified’ by LPG distributors association has been effected due to widening demand and supply gap. Association chairman Irfan Khokhar has threatened to stage a sit-in outside Oil and Gast Regulatory Authority’s (Ogra) office if action was not taken against the cartelisation practices in the LPG market.
“The price of domestic cylinder had been jacked up by Rs50 and that of commercial cylinder by Rs200. Marketing companies have revived raised prices on their own as no government producers such as Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), PSO and Parco have increased LPG prices. The prices had been stable at Rs74,687 per ton, which translated one kilogramme price at Rs75 for the last six months. Given the verified calculations, masses should have one kilogram of LPG at Rs100 and domestic cylinder at Rs1150, but unfortunately the profiteers were earning Rs30 to 40 on one kilogram,” he said.
He dispelled the impression regarding shortage of LPG, saying there was adequate stock available for masses’ requirement and the hike in prices is unfair. ““Everywhere in the world, the prices of commodities are reduced at the time of religious festivals, but here, we see otherwise. The government needs to take notice and ensure LPG prices at affordable level for the month of Ramazan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2014.
The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) witnessed a second successive increase of Rs5 in two days, necessitating effective measures to arrest the unbridled rising trend in its price.
The increased rate, described as ‘unjustified’ by LPG distributors association has been effected due to widening demand and supply gap. Association chairman Irfan Khokhar has threatened to stage a sit-in outside Oil and Gast Regulatory Authority’s (Ogra) office if action was not taken against the cartelisation practices in the LPG market.
“The price of domestic cylinder had been jacked up by Rs50 and that of commercial cylinder by Rs200. Marketing companies have revived raised prices on their own as no government producers such as Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), PSO and Parco have increased LPG prices. The prices had been stable at Rs74,687 per ton, which translated one kilogramme price at Rs75 for the last six months. Given the verified calculations, masses should have one kilogram of LPG at Rs100 and domestic cylinder at Rs1150, but unfortunately the profiteers were earning Rs30 to 40 on one kilogram,” he said.
He dispelled the impression regarding shortage of LPG, saying there was adequate stock available for masses’ requirement and the hike in prices is unfair. ““Everywhere in the world, the prices of commodities are reduced at the time of religious festivals, but here, we see otherwise. The government needs to take notice and ensure LPG prices at affordable level for the month of Ramazan.”
The association had convened a meeting to work out a strategy against these unethical business elements in the LPG sector, who were fleecing the poor masses through unjustified raises.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2014.