• Source:JND

The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has sparked public concern regarding the LPG shortage. While the government denies any scarcity of gases, people are reportedly facing the LPG black market and unavailability. In response to growing public apprehension regarding LPG shortage, the Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan convened a high-level meeting including Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police (DGPs) from all states and UTs on Tuesday. This meeting was to evaluate readiness and guarantee a steady supply for domestic consumers.

The two-hour review featured senior representatives from the ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Information and Broadcasting, and Consumer Affairs. Discussions centered on nationwide stock availability and the enforcement of the LPG Control Order issued on March 8.

Key Directives For State Authorities

During the meeting, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the following instructions to maintain order and supply integrity.

Infrastructure Security: Authorities instructed states to increase protection for bottling plants, distribution hubs, and transport fleets to ensure the safety of workers within the supply chain.

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Market Monitoring: Local authorities are directed to conduct daily inspections on inventory levels and crack down on black-marketing or hoarding.

Combating Misinformation: States have been urged to launch awareness drives to reassure the public. A specific focus was placed on monitoring social media to quickly debunk fake news or old videos that could incite panic buying.

Prioritising Domestic Households

During the meeting, it was confirmed that refineries have been ordered to scale up LPG output. The government is prioritising household needs over commercial use. While certain restrictions have been placed on LPG deliveries to hotels and restaurants, essential facilities such as hospitals and schools remain exempt from these curbs.

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MHA Expanded Coordination Hub

The MHA has expanded its existing 24×7 Control Room by adding specialised nodal officers from the Petroleum and Information and Broadcasting ministries. This move is designed to streamline communication between the Centre and states, allowing for rapid fact-checking and immediate clarification of supply-related issues.


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