JEDDAH — A number of gas stations which closed in the evening on Monday in anticipation of a fuel price hike have been fined by the Ministry of Commerce. The ministry's inspectors along with security and governorate officials toured gas stations in various cities. Any gas station which refused to dispense fuel to motorists was fined. Those gas stations which were found closed were asked to reopen and were fined. On Monday evening, motorists had a tough time filling gas as many gas stations were closed and those which were open had long queues of vehicles. Meanwhile, a statement from the Ministry of Commerce refuted rumors that the price of cooking gas cylinders had been increased. Cooking gas was still being sold at SR15 for medium size cylinders. The ministry explained that the change in the prices is for gas used for industrial purposes. The Council of Ministers on Monday decided to increase gas prices by more than 50 percent for some products from Tuesday. The price of lower-grade petrol (Octane 91) for a liter was increased to 75 halalas from the current 45 halalas, a 67 percent rise, while the price of higher-grade unleaded petrol (Octane 95) was hiked to 90 halalas from 60 halalas, a hike of 50 percent. Prices will also increase for electricity, water and sewage, diesel and kerosene, the Saudi Press Agency reported quoting a Cabinet statement. According to the Cabinet decision, prices of natural gas, kerosene, Arabian light and heavy crude oil, heavy fuel oil, ethane, and butane have also been revised. The new prices for these products will be effective from Jan. 11 (Rabi Al-Thani 1).
