Kitchen budgets under strain as LPG price nears Rs 1,000

Ranchi: For many city households, managing the monthly budget is becoming an increasingly difficult exercise as cooking gas price continue to climb alongside rising fuel and electricity expenses.The latest increase in the price of a domestic LPG cylinder by Rs 29 has pushed the rate in Ranchi from Rs 970.5 to Rs 999.5, within the touching distance of Rs 1,000. The hike on Sunday came three months after a Rs 60 rise announced on March 7, when cylinder prices jumped from Rs 910.5 amid global crude price volatility linked to the West Asia conflict.Homemakers said the repeated increase in LPG price is forcing them to rethink on household spending. “Every month we set aside a fixed amount for groceries and cooking gas. Now the cylinder itself costs nearly Rs 1,000, leaving less money for vegetables, milk and other essentials,” said Sunita Devi, a resident of Harmu.Many families have tried shifting part of their cooking to induction cooktops to reduce LPG consumption, but that strategy has brought its own issues. “We use the induction stove for making tea and small meals, but our electricity bill has increased noticeably over the past few months. Whatever we save on gas is getting adjusted in the power bill,” said Poonam Sinha of Bariatu.College student and hosteller Riya Kumari said rising cooking costs are also affecting youngsters living away from home. “Mess charges and food expenses have gone up. Families are already dealing with inflation, so every increase adds pressure.”While consumers expressed concern over the rising cost burden, oil companies said that there is no cause for concern regarding LPG availability despite the latest price revision.Officials said consumers need not worry about supply. IOC’s Ranchi-based deputy general manager, Subal Sai, said there is adequate LPG stock available across the region. “Consumers should not panic about cylinder availability. We have sufficient stocks in Ranchi and supplies are being maintained smoothly,” he said.