Prices of free trade LPG cylinders, 19-kg commercial cylinders slashed by oil companies. Details here

Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have slashed the prices of 19-kg commercial cylinders and 5-kg free trade LPG (FTL) cylinders with immediate effect, reports said on April 1.

The rate of commercial cylinders has been reduced by ₹30.5, whereas FTL cylinders will cost less by ₹7.5, news agency ANI reported.

With this reduction, commercial cylinders – used by restaurants, caterers and others involved in hospitality services – will be charged at ₹1764.50 in New Delhi from April 1.

The prices of FTL, also referred to as indane cylinders, will vary majorly in different cities, as OMCs use a combination of factors to determine its rate in various parts of the country. The refilling rates range from ₹500-₹700.

The cut in commercial cylinder prices comes a month after the OMCs had hiked the prices. The rate was increased by ₹25 on March 1.

While the details behind the price adjustments were not shared, the rates are usually determined by the OMCs after taking into account an array of factors, ranging from international prices to supply-demand dynamics.

Meanwhile, the Centre had on March 8 – a week before the announcement of general election dates – announced a reduction of ₹100 in the prices of 14.2-kg LPG cylinders used by households. The price cut will be in addition to the subsidy of ₹300 per cylinder offered to economically weaker women who have availed gas cylinders under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

“This will significantly ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country, especially benefiting our Nari Shakti," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, while announcing the rate cut. The 14.2-kg LPG cylinder, subsequent to the price reduction, is charged at ₹803 in New Delhi, ₹802.5 in Mumbai, ₹829 in Kolkata and ₹818.5 in Chennai.