CNG prices hiked by Rs 5.60 per kg in New Delhi

TAFF WRITER 18:26 HRS IST

New Delhi, June 16 (PTI) Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) today hiked Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices here by over 25 per cent, following the government's move to more than double the price of natural gas.

CNG rates in Delhi will go up by Rs 5.60 per kg - from Rs 21.90 to Rs 27.50 per kg, IGL said in a statement here.

"The new consumer price of Rs 27.50 per kg in Delhi and Rs 30.60 per kg in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad would be effective from midight tonight," it said.

The hike was necessitated because of the government's decision to raise natural gas prices from Rs 3.2 per cubic meter to Rs 7.5 per cubic meter (USD 4.2 per million British thermal unit).

IGL, however, did not increase the price of gas that it pipes to households for cooking purpose.

Sensex opens 44 points higher

STAFF WRITER 9:36 HRS IST

Mumbai, June 17 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex opened higher by 44 points on buying by funds in heavyweight stocks amid a mixed pattern in the Asian region.

The 30-share index, which had gained 50.04 points in the previous session, added another 43.99 points to 17,506.86 in first five minutes of trading.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty gained 13.45 points to 5246.80 points at the same time.

Market leader Reliance Industries gained 0.51 per cent to Rs 1062.70 while oil major ONGC rose over 1 per cent to Rs 1175.90 in early trade.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index opened 0.67 per cent higher, while Japanese Nikkei index lost 0.58 per cent in early trade.