After petrol & diesel hike, non-subsidised LPG, kerosene, ATF prices increased too

While LPG price was raised by Rs 18, kerosene saw a hike of Rs 3 per litre

After petrol and diesel, rates of non-subsidised cooking gas, non-PDS kerosene and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) were today raised in line with global trends.

Petrol price was late last night hiked by Rs 1.06 a litre to Rs 62.19 per litre in Delhi and diesel by Rs 2.94 to Rs 50.95 a litre.

The increase was followed up today with nearly Rs 3 per litre hike in price of non-PDS kerosene, according to state- owned oil companies.

Kerosene sold to non-ration card segment outside the subsidised public distribution system (PDS) will cost Rs 49,109.05 per kilolitre (kl) or Rs 49.1 a litre in Delhi as against Rs 46,172.13 per kl previously.

Simultaneously, the oil firms raised prices of non- subsidised LPG, which consumers buy after exhausting their quota of 12, by Rs 18 per 14.2-kg cylinder.

Non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) now costs Rs 527.50 in Delhi as against Rs 509.50 previously. The hike comes on back of three straight monthly reductions. Prices were last cut by Rs 4 on April 1. Rates were reduced by Rs 61.50 on March 1 and Rs 82.5 per 14.2-kg bottle on February 1.

Subsidised LPG costs Rs 419.15 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi.

Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), or jet fuel, price was today hiked by 1.5 per cent.

ATF price in Delhi was raised by Rs 627 per kilolitre, or 1.48 pr cent, to Rs 42,784.01 per kl. The hike comes on the back of of a steep 8.7% or Rs 3,371.55 per kl hike on April 1.

Prior to that, rates were hiked by steep 12%, or Rs 4,174.49, on March 1.

Rates vary at different airports because of differential local sales tax or value-added tax (VAT).

Jet fuel constitutes over 40% of an airline's operating cost and the price increase will add to the financial burden of cash-strapped carriers.

No immediate comment was available from airlines on the impact of the price increase on passenger fares.

The three fuel retailers -- Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum -- revise jet fuel and non-subsidised LPG prices on the first day of every month, based on the average international price in the preceding month.

The ATF price cut on March 10 was on account of change in taxation.

Photograph: Reuters