LPG Distrib-utors Association of Pakistan (LPGDAP) has said that the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is being sold above the prices fixed by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), in different cities of the country.
With the increase in LPG demand following commencement of winter season, the distributors and retailers have also raised their prices, Secretary LPGDAP, Muzamil Abbasi told Business Recorder on Friday.
He said that due to black marketing, the LPG is being sold at Rs 95 to Rs 150 per kg in different cities of the country. He said in Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala and Faisalabad the LPG is being sold at Rs 95 per kg, while Rs 90 in Karachi, Rs 110 in Rawalpindi and Rs 150 per kg in Peshawar and Northern Areas.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had notified the maximum consumer prices for local and imported LPG. It had fixed the price at Rs 55 for all the urban and rural areas of the country and Rs 58 for AJK, Fata and Northern Areas.
The Ogra also warned that it would take punitive measures, in case of failure of compliance, under the law and revocation of license under Rule 10 of LPG (Productions and Distribution) Rules, 2001, he said, adding neither the government nor the authority seem interested to take action against LPG black marketing.
The LPG prices are hovering around Rs 95 to Rs 150 per kg in different cities as majority of the distributors and retailers claimed that the prices have not been fixed on the basis on kilogram so they could increase their rates besides the sales of cylinder, he added.
Meanwhile, spokesman of Liquid Petrol Gas Association of Pakistan (LPGAP), Fasih Ahmed said that LPG prices are high in the Punjab on account of some unexpected and some controllable factors. "The natural gas shortage has been unexpectedly acute this winter while the petrol shortage had not been anticipated at all. Still, we have been alerting the public to the fact that LPG retail prices beyond a certain threshold are indicative of highly unethical conduct on the part of LPG distributors," he said.
"At the rates being charged by Ogra-licensed LPG marketing companies, retail prices should hover closer to Rs 60 per kg and it merits mentioning that the fair retail rate last January was Rs 65 per kg when petrol was still widely available", he added.
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