The government announced that 21 states/union territories are actively conducting press briefings to combat misinformation and reassure the public about the smooth availability and distribution of LPG. State governments have been empowered to take action against hoarding and black marketing under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and LPG Control Order, 2000. It is emphasized that states/UTs play a crucial role in monitoring and regulating the supply of essential commodities like petrol, diesel, and LPG.
Raids are ongoing in various states/UTs to prevent hoarding and black marketing of LPG, with over 3,700 raids conducted recently. Public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been instructed to enhance surprise inspections to prevent hoarding and black marketing, resulting in the issuance of 1,000 show cause notices to LPG distributorships and the suspension of 27 distributorships. The government has urged states to conduct daily press briefings, issue public advisories, establish control rooms/helplines, monitor and counter fake news on social media, and intensify enforcement drives.
States are also encouraged to issue Commercial LPG allocation orders, expedite CGD expansion, promote PNG adoption and alternate fuels, and appoint senior nodal officers for coordination with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Online LPG cylinder bookings have surged to 95% on an industry basis, with approximately 51 lakh domestic LPG cylinders delivered recently.
