PESHAWAR: The federal government once again notified increased in prices of petroleum products from Rs3.95 to Rs4.15 per liter as ‘New Year gift’. However, NEPRA has announced some reduction in the prices of electricity and Liquefied Petroleum Gas which is yet to be approved by government.
According to the notification, price of petrol has been increased to Rs144.82 per liter after Rs4 per liter hike. The price of high speed diesel have been increased by Rs4 per liter, light diesel oil by Rs4.15 per liter and Kerosene oil by Rs3.95 per liter.
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According to NEPRA spokesperson, the price of electricity has been reduced by 99 paise per unit but the decision will be implemented after the approval of the federal government and in that case consumers could get a relief of Rs22 billion. The spokesperson informed that the new rates will apply on all electricity distribution companies except Karachi Electric.
Similarly, a notification issued by Oil Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the price of LPG has been reduced by Rs5.90 per kg. According to the notification, the price of a domestic LPG cylinder for January has been fixed at Rs2, 320 while in December, it was Rs2, 390. The OGRA notification said that the new prices of petroleum products were implemented from 12 am.
The Ministry of Finance, Prime Minister Imran Khan gave maximum relief to public on petroleum products. The ministry claimed said, “The Prime Minister only increased the levy of Rs4 fixed by the IMF and did not increase the prices of petroleum products as per the recommendation of OGRA.”
Inflation still unstoppable
A weekly report released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics stating that the price of 22 products has increased during the current week. The price of chicken has gone up by Rs4.25. According to the statistics, the price of a can of 2.5 kg ghee has gone up to Rs1, 014.15, lentils by Rs 1.29 per kg, garlic by Rs 1.82 per kg, sugar by 59 paise per kg, mutton by Rs4.53 per kg and beef by 98 paise per kg.
Prices of seven essential commodities have reduced in recent weeks, tomatoes reduced by Rs24.68 per kg, potatoes by Rs3.57 per kg, prices of 200 gram packets of red chillies have reduced by Rs20.51 per kg, onions 88 paisa per kg, rate of LPG cylinder reduced by Rs39.15 paise.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry wrote on social networking site Twitter that after the health card, the government reduced the price of LPG by up to Rs6 per kg as a ‘New Year gift’. He claimed, “72% of the country’s population who are deprived of piped gas will directly benefit. Next year will see a clear reduction in energy and food prices.”