Jaipur, April 9 (Udaipur Kiran): Amid a shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), oil companies have made it easier to purchase 5 kg small cylinders, but at a significantly higher cost compared to both domestic and commercial cylinders in Rajasthan.
The 5 kg LPG cylinder is currently priced at around Rs 123 per kg, making it costlier than other available categories. Oil companies are offering new connections for these small cylinders with minimal requirements, allowing purchase with just an ID card and unlimited refilling.
As per current pricing, a new 5 kg cylinder connection costs Rs 1,490, which includes the filled cylinder. Refilling the cylinder costs Rs 616.
In comparison, a standard 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder is available for Rs 916.50, translating to approximately Rs 64.50 per kg—nearly half the price of the 5 kg cylinder.
Even commercial cylinders are cheaper on a per kilogram basis. A 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder is priced at Rs 2,106, which comes to around Rs 111 per kg, still lower than the small 5 kg cylinder rate.
Officials say the move to simplify access to small cylinders is aimed at helping daily wage workers and migrant labourers who may face difficulty in securing regular LPG connections. However, the higher per-unit cost has raised concerns.
Due to the ongoing LPG shortage, domestic cylinder bookings are currently restricted with a 25-day gap, while commercial cylinders are also in limited supply, with availability at around 70 percent of demand.
In contrast, the 5 kg cylinders are being made widely available at petrol pumps and gas agencies, with no restriction on refilling, allowing consumers to refill them as needed.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.