Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The central government has said the current energy situation in India remains a matter of concern due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia but assured citizens that LPG supplies continue across the country. Officials advised consumers to use cooking gas wisely and avoid panic buying.
Government Says LPG Supply Continuing Normally
During an inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that no LPG distributor in the country is facing a complete shortage at present. Domestic cylinder deliveries are continuing as usual, and most bookings are now being made online.
She stated that nearly 94 percent of LPG cylinder bookings are currently happening online, while the delivery authentication code system has reached 76 percent, improving transparency in distribution.
Commercial LPG Supply Partially Restored
According to the ministry, commercial LPG supplies were initially halted but have now been partially restored. Cylinders allocated to various state governments and Union Territories are also being distributed.
Several states including Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand have already issued allocation orders for non-domestic LPG cylinders.
Centre Advises Shift To PNG Where Possible
The government also advised commercial LPG users to shift to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) wherever possible to reduce pressure on LPG supplies. Officials said petrol, diesel, and other fuel supplies remain available in sufficient quantity.
Strict Action Against Hoarding And Black Marketing
Authorities have launched strict enforcement measures against hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders. Officials revealed that around 12,000 raids have been conducted across the country in recent days and about 15,000 cylinders have been seized.
In Delhi alone, around 600 cylinders were seized, while 450 inspections were carried out in Uttar Pradesh. Enforcement actions were also reported in Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh, where raids, FIRs, and arrests were made.
Alternative Fuels Activated For Some Sectors
To ease pressure on LPG supply, the government has allowed certain sectors such as hotels and restaurants to temporarily use alternate fuels like kerosene and coal. Officials said these measures are intended to maintain supply stability during the global energy disruption.
