Srinagar, Oct 2: Much to the dismay of Valleyites, oil companies operating here have fixed the rate of non-subsidized LPG cylinders (14 kg) at Rs 961 against Rs 856 announced by the Centre.
The hike of around Rs 100 on non-subsidized LPG cylinders has come at a time when Valleyites are yet to recuperate from the fallout of central government’s decision to restrict the subsidized LPG cylinders to six a year.
While a consumer would be entitled to six LPG cylinders a year at the subsidized rate of Rs 412 per cylinder, he/she shall have to pay Rs 961 for any extra cylinder.
Interestingly, in the last two weeks oil companies have increased the LPG rates twice and have been successful in getting the approval of state government to get new rates notified. The companies have fixed rate of non-subsidized “exempted LPG cylinders” at Rs 1245. These cylinders are used by Defence forces, supplied under Mid Day Meals scheme, in Anganwadis of ICDS, Shrine Boards, religious places (temples/ Gurdawaras/mosques etc) functions.
Pertinently, the decision to curtail the limit of subsidized LPG cylinder to six per family in the country was taken on September 14.  In Kashmir the decision of centre has more ramifications as majority of consumers in the valley are without the requisite documents. “As a result of which they are not able to get gas refills.”  Earlier state government through media declared that non-subsidized cylinder would cost around Rs 800.
The new rates notified by the Oil Companies and subsequently approved by Government on September 18, mentioned the rate of non-subsidized gas cylinder as Rs 796.50 and the rate of cylinders to be supplied to Defence forces/ religious places, under Mid Day Meals scheme etc as Rs 1051.50.
The Defence forces and the religious organizations were being charged Rs 819.50 per cylinder and the Commercial cylinder at the rate of Rs 1080 before September 14, 2012. This surprising move of the Government by issuing second revised list within just twelve days, giving hike of Rs 124 per cylinder has sent shock waves across the State.
Mir Mushtaq, Director CAPD confirmed that the rate of Non subsidized LPG cylinders has been increased.  However rates of subsidized LPG cylinders remain unaffected.
“From today onwards non- subsidized LPG (14 Kg) cylinder will cost Rs 961, other category of non- subsidized exempted  LPG cylinder will cost Rs 1245  and commercial gas cylinders at Rs 1734 ,” Mushtaq said.
He said that all the oil companies are working hard to unblock all the consumers in the valley. “So far around 40,000 consumers have been unblocked by the oil companies and in coming days more connections will be updated and unblocked,” Mushtaq added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Oct 2012 00:00:00 IST