Cooking gas cylinders in India got cheaper by Rs 100.50 from yesterday, the Indian Oil Corporation has declared, providing major relief to households across the country. With this, the unsubsidised price of each domestic LPG cylinder will be Rs. 637 instead of Rs. 737.50.

According to a press release issued by Indian Oil, the decision to cut rates was taken in view of softening LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) prices in the international market and a favourable dollar-rupee exchange rate. As domestic LPG prices are subsidised by the government, the effective price has come down to Rs. 494.35 per cylinder with this rate revision. The balance amount of Rs. 142.65 per cylinder "would be borne as subsidy" by the Indian central government and transferred to the consumer's bank account after the purchase of a refill, the release said. The cut comes exactly a month after LPG saw a price hike of 3.65 per cent with effect from June 1. According to Indian Oil, that amounted to an increase of Rs. 25 per cylinder as compared to the previous month.

The hike in LPG prices had provoked objections from the opposition back then, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee even threatening to launch a statewide agitation. “Why were LPG prices hiked after the elections? We condemn the gas price hike,” she said.