The Centre has reduced the number of subsidised LPG refills available annually under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) from nine to four, officials said during an inter-ministerial briefing on Monday (June 8). The government cited a sharp increase in global liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia as the reason behind the move. The move comes as state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) face mounting losses on the sale of domestic cooking gas. According to the petroleum ministry, the effective cost of a domestic LPG cylinder has crossed Rs 1,600 based on international benchmark prices, while consumers continue to pay significantly lower rates.