LGP cylinder in Kashmir Rs 54 costlier than Jammu

Instead of getting a non-subsidized LPG cylinder on cheaper rates due to its geographical disadvantages, consumers in Kashmir are buying gas cylinder Rs 54 higher than their Jammu counterparts.
In Kashmir, 14.2-kg LPG cylinder is available at Rs 710 on non-subsidized rates while Jammu people are purchasing it at Rs 656 only.
“I was surprised when I bought a non-subsidized gas cylinder in Jammu at Rs 656 when we purchase it at Rs 710 in Kashmir. There is a huge difference in rates,” said Rouf Ahmad, a local from Hyderpora.
Rouf said keeping in view the geographical disadvantages of Kashmir, the rates on non-subsidized cylinders should have been cheaper in Kashmir than Jammu region.
“Every now and then, national highway gets closed resulting in price hike of essential commodities. In such circumstances, Kashmir should get LPG cylinders on cheaper rates,” said Rouf.
Earlier this year, the government cut the price of non-subsidised cooking gas by Rs 43.50 per cylinder as international oil rates slumped to their lowest since May 2009.
Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Abdul Rashid Var said the department has no control over the rates on LPG cylinders.
“We can only check the proper distribution of LPG. The rates are being decided by government of India and we can’t do much about it,” said Var.
Var said even though they have asked all the oil companies to keep them updated about the changes in rates but CAPD has no authorities to regulate the rates.
In Srinagar, mostly three oil marketing companies -Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) are distributing gas
Senior officials of HPCL said the variation is mainly due to extra freight charges to Kashmir.
“Every oil company has to pay extra amount as a freight charge which increases the overall rate of a cylinder. We also pay Rs 1 per cylinder as a municipal charge at Pulwama,” they said.
Officials said most of the LPG in India is being exported from gulf countries and oil companies have to bear a huge amount of cost for transportation which they later compensate from different states.
However, officials said he has no idea on which basis the oil companies are calculating the freight charges from Jammu to Kashmir.
Meanwhile, showing their helplessness, dealers in Valley said they are compiled to sell the LPG as per the prescribed rated from the oil companies.
“There is a little we can do about it. We only sell LPG on the rates that are being decided by the companies,” said a dealer on anonymity.