Residents struggle with budgets as domestic LPG prices spike again

Pune: Handewadi resident Pratik Mungekar and his wife have barely used their lone LPG cylinder for nearly a month, hoping to rein in household expenses amid rising fuel and cooking gas costs. Instead, the move has only added to their financial burden.“Our electricity bill, which rarely crossed Rs1,000 a few months ago, has gone up by nearly Rs2,200 since my wife started cooking on the induction stove we bought in March. During the recent LPG shortage, we switched to induction cooking to conserve gas, but instead of saving money, our expenses have increased. Now, with LPG prices rising again, we are unsure what to do,” the private-sector employee told TOI on Sunday.With domestic LPG prices increasing by Rs29 on Saturday, many middle-class families like the Mungekars find themselves caught in a dilemma. Attempts to reduce LPG consumption by relying on electric appliances have often translated into higher electricity bills, adding to the strain of rising daily expenses and fuel costs.In Pune city, the price of a domestic LPG cylinder now stands at Rs944.50. Distributors said consumers in the rest of the district may pay Rs4-5 more due to transportation costs.For Krishnanagar resident Surekha Gaikwad, who works as a domestic help in six homes along NIBM Road, the latest hike has deepened existing worries. “It is impossible for me to take on more work, but we are struggling to manage. During the LPG shortage, we spent Rs2,000 to arrange a cylinder after neighbours objected to the clay stove we had set up. We are a family of seven and cannot afford, or even know how to use, an induction stove. We just hope another shortage does not happen,” she said.Her friend Kavita, who works in the same profession, said the financial strain is affecting even her earnings. “I charge Rs2,000 per household for cleaning and washing utensils. This month, two families asked me to stop washing utensils because they were trying to offset higher electricity bills. I explained my situation, but they said their budgets were under severe pressure, too,” she said.Jaikant Vaze, a private-sector employee from Keshavnagar near Mundhwa, said saving money has become nearly impossible over the past three months. “Expenses keep rising. We bought an induction stove, but then had to purchase induction-compatible utensils as well. High electricity bills forced us to cut back elsewhere, but it hasn’t helped. I tried taking buses to work to save fuel, but delays created problems at the office. My wife is now looking for a job because one income is no longer enough,” he said.Petrol prices in Pune currently stand at Rs111.52 per litre after the fourth hike since May 25, while diesel costs Rs98.15 per litre. CNG prices have also risen sharply, with a kg now costing Rs94.75.“Govt says LPG supply is normal, but regular families are clearly struggling,” said Nigdi resident Nimish Parte, who is considering taking tuition classes to supplement his income. The bank employee added, “We have already cut discretionary spending such as dining out and movie outings, but that has not provided much relief. With fuel and LPG prices continuing to rise, we are under constant financial pressure.”