India's LPG demand in June increased by 16pc from a year earlier but was well below use in May as the country's four-month Covid-19 lockdown increased consumption.
Demand reached 2.076mn t last month compared with 1.793mn t a year earlier, according to preliminary oil ministry data. This was below 2.314mn t in May.
Demand may rise until September after India extended by three months its free LPG refills after low-income households failed to take advantage of the state-subsidised scheme. Many low-income households have used the money for free LPG refills to buy food instead, said officials from state-controlled refiners. A second free refill is available only after households use the first LPG cylinder.
India kept prices of non-subsidised LPG for July largely unchanged from June after steep increases in diesel and gasoline values led to protests. A non-subsidised 14.2kg LPG cylinder costs 594 rupees ($7.90) in Delhi this month from Rs593 in June, according to state-controlled refiner IOC.
