Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, said enforcement teams have been actively carrying out inspections to prevent hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders
Pic/PTI
The Centre on Tuesday said it has intensified action against LPG hoarding across the country, conducting over 12,000 raids and seizing more than 15,000 cylinders amid reports of panic buying and rumours of a supply shortage, reported news agency IANS.
Officials, however, reiterated that there is no shortage of LPG and urged consumers to avoid unnecessary bookings.
12,000 raids conducted to curb hoarding
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, said enforcement teams have been actively carrying out inspections to prevent hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders, reported IANS.
She said the large-scale crackdown is aimed at stabilising supply and ensuring that cylinders reach genuine domestic consumers without disruption.
Govt assures adequate LPG availability
Despite the surge in demand, the government maintained that LPG stocks remain sufficient across the country. Sharma noted that nearly 70,000 bookings were recorded on Monday alone, largely driven by panic buying, reported IANS.
She appealed to consumers to remain calm and avoid excessive or duplicate bookings, stating that the supply chain is functioning normally.
Push for digital bookings and compliance
Highlighting the role of digital platforms, Sharma said around 94 per cent of domestic LPG bookings are now being made online. She encouraged consumers to continue using digital channels for convenience and transparency, reported IANS.
She also noted an improvement in Delivery Authenticity Code (DAC) compliance, which has reached 76 per cent, helping streamline distribution and reduce irregularities.
States allocate LPG for essential services
Several states, including Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttarakhand, have taken steps to prioritise LPG supply for essential services by allocating non-domestic cylinders where required.
These measures are intended to ensure uninterrupted functioning of critical sectors such as hospitals, community kitchens and other essential establishments.
Fresh supplies arrive amid global disruptions
Amid concerns over global energy disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia, the government said fresh LPG shipments are continuing to arrive in India.
Special Secretary (Shipping) Rajesh Kumar Sinha informed that the LPG carrier Nanda Devi docked at Kandla port early Tuesday, while another vessel, Shivalik, arrived at Mundra port a day earlier. He added that cargo is being transferred from larger ships to smaller vessels for efficient inland distribution, reported IANS.
Diversifying imports to ensure stability
To safeguard against potential supply disruptions, India has begun sourcing LPG from multiple global markets, including the United States, as part of its strategy to diversify imports, reported IANS.
Officials said these steps are aimed at maintaining steady availability and preventing any future shortages amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Indian crew safe, nationals repatriated
Providing an update on the situation in the Gulf region, Sinha said all 22 Indian vessels and their crew members remain safe. He added that 161 Indian nationals have been brought back to the country in the past 24 hours, reported IANS.
The government reiterated that it is closely monitoring the situation and taking proactive measures to ensure energy security and public convenience.
(With inputs from IANS)
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