ISLAMABAD, July 5:  Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) on Thursday reduced Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices by around Rs30 per kilogram, but the distributors have accused the authority of benefiting the LPG marketing companies through delays in price reduction.

The notification issued here by Ogra said that the maximum consumer price for 100 per cent locally produced LPG for July will be Rs983 per 11.8 kg cylinder or Rs83.30 per kg.

The maximum consumer price for 100 per cent imported LPG is fixed at Rs1,136 per 11.8 kg cylinder or Rs96.27 per kg and for the mixed local and imported LGP the price will be Rs1,020 per 11.8 kg cylinder or Rs86.4 per kg.

Ogra has also advised the marketing companies to make available/issue the sales invoice/gate pass on the company printed format clearly mentioning whether the consignment is imported or local before dispatching the truck from storage and filling plants.

The authority has also directed the LPG marketing companies as well as all the distributors to charge notified prices otherwise relevant department of the regulatory body will take serious action against the violators.

However, the distributors have criticised Ogra for failing to provide protection to the consumers from illegal profiteering by the marketing companies.

Ifran Khokhar, Chairman All Pakistan LGP Distributors Association, addressing a press conference at the National Press Club said that LPG marketing companies were fleecing the customers through overcharging and falsified information.

“The LPG marketing companies have made Rs2.46 billion illegal profits through overcharging in the last four months,” Mr Khokhar said adding, “The simple logic is that LPG has not been imported in the country during last five months but the retail prices have been above Rs100 per kg across the country.”

He said that the price of locally produced LPG was around Rs48 kg and if Rs10 per kg margins was added for marketing company, dealers and the distributors each the consumer price has to be around Rs78 to Rs80 per kilogram.