Consumers will have to pay Rs 32.52 more per one kilo of gas due to the new hybrid gas cylinder to be introduced by the state-owned Litro Gas company, said Ranjith Vithanage, Chairman of the National Movement for Protection of Consumer Rights.
According to the existing 12.5 kg gas cylinder, one kilo of gas is sold at Rs 119.44.But due to the 9.18 kg gas cylinder to be introduced shortly, consumers will have to pay Rs 151.96 per one kilo of gas.
The 12.5 kg of gas cylinder is now sold at Rs 1493/= while the new hybrid gas cylinder has been priced at Rs 1395/=Although, Consumer Protection Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said the consumer will get a Rs 100 reduction due to the new cylinder, the true situation is that the consumer will have to pay Rs 100 more for the new one.
According to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act 9 of 2003, gas has been declared as an essential item.
Vithanage said it is illegal to fill 9.18kg of gas into a 12.5kg cylinder and sell it in the market under a different name.
He said they have already complained to the Consumer Affairs Authority on this.
(Mirror)