Economist Aakash Jindal welcomes LPG price reduction, stresses on further cut

Economist Aakash Jindal welcomed the reduction in the price of non-subsidised LPG cylinders by ₹100 and advocated for a further reduction in the price suggesting that it would help bring down inflation.

New Delhi: While the price of non-subsidised LPG was reduced by over ₹100 per cylinder on the back of softening international rates on Sunday, economist Aakash Jindal is of the view that the price can be reduced further to control inflation.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Jindal welcomed the move and said, "As an economist, I would say that LPG prices can be reduced further and it should be reduced as it would help reduce the inflation."

He further elaborated the link between food items and LPG and how a reduction in the price of the latter could bring major relief to the general public.

"In India, the inflation is mostly linked to food items which are mostly prepared using LPG cylinders. If we make cooking gas cheaper it would automatically reduce inflation and would bring relief to the general public. There is a big population in our country living below the poverty line and food is the basic necessity and this is where cheaper LPG cylinders play a very important role," said Jindal.

"All that the government needs to do is change its approach towards these things, " added the economist.

Jindal also stressed on finding alternatives to LPG and suggested that the government needs to promote the usage of Compressed natural gas (CNG), which he believes would prove to be cost-effective for the public.

"CNG should be made easily available, it should be made cheaper and more and more vehicles must be made CNG friendly. People should also be explained about cost-effective CNG products could be for them," said Jindal.

The cooking gas in Delhi will be priced at Rs 637 per cylinder from midnight of June 30 as against Rs. 737.50 currently.
Subsidised cooking gas price will be Rs 494.35 per cylinder.