The oil ministry has proposed a hike of R3-4.50 per litre in diesel price and R100 per cylinder in LPG rates, along with raising the number of subsidised cooking gas cylinders for households to nine a year from the current cap of six.

The ministry has moved a note for consideration of the Cabinet, proposing options for meeting a record R160,000-crore deficit arising from selling auto and cooking fuels below their cost.