ATF price hiked by 5.6%, commercial LPG rate down Rs 7 per cylinder
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New Delhi (PTI): The price of Jet fuel, or ATF, on Saturday was hiked by a steep 5.6 percent while the rate of commercial LPG that is used in hotels and restaurants was cut by Rs 7 per 19-kg cylinder in the monthly revision done in line with the benchmark international prices.
The aviation turbine fuel (ATF) price was increased by Rs 5,078.25 per kilolitre, or 5.6 percent, to Rs 95,533.72 per kl in the national capital - home to one of the busiest airports in the country, according to state-owned fuel retailers.
The hike follows a reduction in rates by 1.5 percent in the previous revision on January 1.
Prior to that, prices were increased twice - Rs 2,941.5 per kl (3.3 per cent) on November 1, and by Rs 1,318.12 per kl (1.45 percent) on December 1, 2024.
The ATF price in Mumbai was increased to Rs 89,318.90 on Saturday, from Rs 84,511.93 per kl previously.
Oil firms also reduced the price of commercial LPG by Rs 7 to Rs 1,797 per 19-kg cylinder in the national capital.
This the second reduction in the rate after five straight monthly hikes in commercial LPG price. The price was cut by Rs 14.5 per 19-kg cylinder at the last revision on January 1, 2024.
In five price hikes prior to the two rounds of cuts this year, commercial LPG rate had been hiked by Rs 172.5 per 19-kg cylinder.
Commercial LPG now costs Rs 1,749.50 per 19-kg cylinder in Mumbai, Rs 1,907 in Kolkata and Rs 1,959.50 in Chennai.
Prices of ATF and LPG differ from state to state depending on the incidence of local taxes including VAT.
The rate of cooking gas used in domestic households, however, remained unchanged at Rs 803 per 14.2-kg cylinder.
State-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) revise prices of ATF and cooking gas on the first of every month based on the average price of benchmark international fuel and foreign exchange rate.
Prices of petrol and diesel continue to remain frozen. Rates had been cut by Rs 2 per litre in mid-March ahead of the general elections. Petrol costs Rs 94.72 a litre in Delhi, while diesel is priced at Rs 87.62.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
