Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 13 / Trend F.Milad/
The Subsidy Reform Plan Organisation of Iran has proposed increasing compressed natural gas (CNG) prices at fuel stations across the country.
After implementing the first phase of the subsidy reform plan, CNG prices increased to 3000 rials per cubic metre, the Mehr news agency reported.
The subsidy reform plan launched in December 2010, allows the Iranian government to gradually slash subsidies on fuel, electricity and certain goods over the course of five years, with low-income families being compensated with direct cash hand-outs.
It is expected that the plan for increasing CNG prices will be put into effect in the next Iranian calendar year (to begin on March 21, 2012).
Over 1800 CNG stations are operating in Iran, supplying some 18 million cubic metres of gas per day to dual-fuel cars, saving up to 18 million litres of gasoline.