The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has hiked gas tariff for most poor consumers by 148.8% because a crippling shortage of the commodity.
The decision to increase the gas tariff will put more burden on the poor segment of society amid record high inflation, which has taken prices of basic commodities to an all time high.
According to the details, the gas tariff for consumers using up to 0.6 cubic hectometer (hm3) has been increased from Rs. 201 to Rs. 500 per MMBTU from January 1, 2023.
Meanwhile, the gas tariff for those consuming more than four cubic hectometers has been increased by 112% from Rs. 1,460 to Rs. 3,100 per MMBTU.
The tariff for white collar consumers using up to two cubic hectometer gas has also been increased by 45%.
Since the gas tariff increase has been implemented from January, the difference will be recovered from consumers in four installments.
Moreover, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has increased the monthly rent for gas meters from Rs. 40 to Rs. 500 following the hike in gas tariff.
It means that even if a consumer does not consume any gas, he/she will have to pay a minimum of Rs. 500 per month as meter rent charges and this has also been made applicable from January 2023.
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