NE NEWS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, APR 25
With the West Asia situation casting a shadow on global energy routes, the Centre has moved to ring-fence domestic LPG supplies while maintaining calibrated support to commercial users, backed by strict enforcement and citizen advisories to prevent panic buying.
- 94.5% DAC-linked deliveries curb diversion; online bookings touch near-universal levels
- Domestic LPG fully protected; commercial supply restored to ~70% with priority sectors covered
- 5-kg cylinders surge: 18.63 lakh sold since April 1; migrant access doubled via state quotas
- Enforcement drive peaks: 2,400+ raids, penalties on 309 dealers; 70 distributorships suspended
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said household LPG supply remains fully prioritised, with no reported dry-outs across distributorships. Digital adoption has surged, with online bookings nearing 99%, while Delivery Authentication Code (DAC)-based deliveries exceeding 94.5% are helping plug leakages and diversion.
Domestic First, Demand Managed
To stabilise availability, the government has extended refill intervals (21–25 days in urban areas; up to 45 days in rural regions) and nudged consumers towards PNG, electric and induction alternatives. States have also been asked to accelerate PNG connections and promote fuel substitution, including kerosene and coal for small users.
Commercial LPG: Prioritised Recovery
Commercial LPG supplies have been restored to about 70% of pre-crisis levels, with priority allocation to hospitals, educational institutions, pharma, agriculture and core industries.
In April alone (till April 24), India recorded 1.55 lakh metric tonnes of commercial LPG sales, equivalent to over 81.85 lakh 19-kg cylinders, signalling steady recovery.
5-Kg Cylinders Power Migrant Access
A major public-interest push has been the scaled distribution of 5-kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders, especially for migrant workers.
- 18.63 lakh cylinders sold since April 1
- 80,000 units sold in a single day
- 8,770+ awareness camps conducted, selling over 1.38 lakh cylinders since April 3
States have been authorised to double daily quotas for migrant labourers, with PSU oil firms coordinating distribution.
Crackdown on Hoarding
A nationwide enforcement sweep saw over 2,400 raids in a day, with 309 LPG dealers penalised and 70 suspended. States have activated control rooms and district monitoring committees under the Essential Commodities Act to curb black marketing and misinformation.
Advisory: No Panic Buying
The government has urged citizens to avoid panic purchases and rely on official updates, stressing that fuel supplies remain stable despite global uncertainties linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
Beyond LPG: Industry Buffering
To cushion industrial demand, refineries in Mumbai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Mathura have supplied over 7,000 metric tonnes of propylene to the chemical and pharma sectors since April 9.
Maritime & Evacuation Update
All Indian seafarers in the region remain safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the last 24 hours.
On the diplomatic front, India has facilitated the safe movement of 2,443 nationals out of Iran via land routes, while continuing to advise against travel to the region.
Bottom Line
The government’s strategy blends strict monitoring, targeted supply, and behavioural nudges—keeping household LPG uninterrupted while ensuring essential sectors and vulnerable groups stay covered amid global uncertainty.
