Amid the evolving situation in West Asia, the government announced that 5 kg LPG cylinders are now available at distributors upon displaying a valid ID without the need for address proof. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that this initiative aims to enhance access to cooking fuel, particularly for migrant workers and individuals lacking local address documents.
Since March 23, approximately 5.7 lakh 5 kg FTL cylinders have been sold, with a recent record of over 71,000 units sold in a single day. The government emphasized that there is no scarcity of petrol, diesel, or LPG in the country and advised citizens against panic buying. It assured that all retail fuel outlets are functioning normally with sufficient stocks nationwide, despite occasional rushes at certain petrol pumps due to unfounded rumors.
To maintain supply stability, the government has ramped up domestic LPG production, ensured optimal refinery operations, and prioritized fuel distribution for households, hospitals, and essential services. Various demand-side measures have been implemented, such as extending the LPG booking cycle and promoting alternative cooking options like PNG, kerosene, and electric alternatives.
States have been instructed to facilitate new PNG connections for both domestic and commercial consumers. Additionally, the government has intensified monitoring to prevent hoarding and black marketing, conducting over 3,700 recent raids and taking strict actions against errant LPG distributors, including license suspensions. State governments have been empowered under the Essential Commodities Act to address violations and conduct regular inspections and public briefings.
