New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai on Wednesday criticised the central government for the recent hike in commercial LPG prices and underlined the need to control the prices.

'The government has been saying that there would be no problems, but with the way there has been a price hike in both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders, it was important to control the prices,' Desai told ANI.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said that ensuring a steady supply of petrol, diesel, and gas could help stabilise prices.

'If there will be a continuous supply of petrol, diesel and gas, then prices will also decrease,' he told ANI.

The prices of LPG cylinders have been revised upward with effect from April 1, with commercial and smaller cylinders witnessing a significant increase across key cities.

In Delhi, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased to Rs 2,078.50, marking a rise of Rs 195.50. Meanwhile, the 5 kg FTL cylinder is now priced at Rs 549 per refill, reflecting an increase of Rs 51, sources said.

In Kolkata, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has gone up by Rs 218, indicating a broader trend of rising fuel costs across urban centres.

Meanwhile, domestic cooking gas LPG rates, which were last hiked by Rs 60 per 14.2-kg cylinder on March 7, remain unchanged. It costs Rs 913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi.

The latest revision comes against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global transit route for crude oil and energy supplies.

Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices have also been revised upward in major metro cities from April 1. In Delhi, ATF is now priced at Rs 1,04,927 per kilolitre, while in Kolkata it stands at Rs 1,09,450 per kilolitre. Mumbai has recorded ATF prices at Rs 98,247 per kilolitre, and Chennai at Rs 1,09,873 per kilolitre. The increase is in line with rising global crude oil prices, which are impacting airline operations and overall air travel costs.

The sharp rise in ATF rates aligns with the broader surge in jet fuel prices globally, driven by geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, higher crude oil prices, and widening refining crack spreads.

Earlier, the Central government reduced excise duty on petrol to Rs 3 per litre and brought it down to zero for diesel, as per a Gazette notification issued under the provisions of the Central Excise Act, 1944. Additionally, a windfall tax of Rs 21.5 per litre has been imposed on diesel exports.

Meanwhile, the government has maintained that fuel supplies across the country remain stable. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in an official statement, assured that 'all retail outlets are operating normally across the country' and that there are 'adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all petrol pumps.' It also urged citizens not to engage in panic buying amid circulating rumours.

Officials further stated that refineries are operating at high capacity with sufficient crude inventories and that domestic LPG production has been ramped up to meet demand. (ANI)