LAHORE, Feb 2: Liquefied petroleum gas retail prices were again increased by Rs4 per kilogram — from Rs48 to Rs52 — following an increase in wholesale prices by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority.

Condemning the increase, LPG Distributors Association chairman Irfan Khokhar said there was no justification for it as the consumption had decreased from 1,950 metric tons a day in December, 2006, to 1,500 metric tons a day due to increase in prices in January.

The LPG companies had been forced to reduce the production due to reduction in demand on account of increase in prices but had arranged further increase in prices in collusion with OGRA to maintain their profit level, he added.

He said the LPG consumption always increased during winter in the past but had reduced by around 30 per cent this year because the consumers had been forced to use alternative fuels due to increase of Rs4 - from Rs44 to Rs48 - in its prices.

He said that the association would move the high court next week for fixing the margin of profit on LPG.

COAL EXPLORATION: The Punjab Mines and Minerals Department has allocated Rs4 million for investigation of coal in the Central Salt Range under the public-private partnership.

This was stated during a meeting held here on Friday with Punjab Mines and Minerals Minister Mohammad Sibtain Khan in the chair.

He was informed that the geo-technical investigation and drilling was in progress from Kallar Kahar to Nurpur section for exploration of coal deposits.

A technical committee would review the exploration reports and take a decision about starting mining, he said.

SEIZED: The City District Government food squad on Friday seized 300kg adulterated loose tea, 40kg food colour, 10kg packing material and a sealing machine during a raid on a tea-packing unit in Baghbanpura.

Tea-packing unit owner Asad and employee Azam were found mixing tree bark and gram peels in tea at the time of raid. A case was registered against both the accused under the provisions of Pure Food Ordinance.