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Government Intensifies LPG Raids Nationwide to Curb Hoarding and Black Marketing

The Centre has intensified raids across states to check the hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders, with over 3,500 raids leading to the seizure of approximately 1,400 cylinders. Oil marketing companies have conducted surprise inspections at more than 2,000 retail outlets and distributorships nationwide. The government is implementing measures like enhancing refinery output, adjusting booking intervals, and allocating additional kerosene and coal to ease demand pressure. Citizens are advised to rely on official sources, use digital booking, and avoid panic to ensure the smooth home delivery of cylinders.

Key Points: LPG Raids Intensify to Curb Hoarding, Black Marketing: Centre

  • Over 3,500 raids conducted
  • 1,400 LPG cylinders seized
  • Alternate fuels like kerosene allocated
  • Digital bookings encouraged to avoid panic
  • Supply prioritized for domestic and institutional use
2 min read

Raids continue to check hoardings, black marketing of LPG: Centre

Over 3,500 raids conducted, 1,400 cylinders seized as Centre cracks down on LPG hoarding and black marketing. States urged to ensure supply.

"All the States/UTs governments are requested to conduct regular raids so that black marketing and hoardings can be arrested. - Petroleum Ministry"

New Delhi, March 21

The government on Saturday said that raids continue to be carried out in many of the states and Union Territories to check the hoardings and black marketing of LPG.

More than 3,500 raids have been conducted and around 1,400 cylinders have been seized in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra, etc.

"All the States/UTs governments are requested to conduct regular raids so that black marketing and hoardings can be arrested," said Petroleum Ministry.

PSU oil marketing companies (OMCs) officials have conducted surprise inspections at more than 2,000 retail outlets and LPG distributorships across the country to ensure smooth supplies and to check any hoardings/black marketing cases, it added.

Despite this war situation, the government has given highest priority to domestic LPG and PNG, along with high priority to hospitals and educational institutions.

"The government has already implemented several rationalisation measures on both the supply and demand side, including enhancing refinery production, increasing the booking interval from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas and prioritising sectors for supply," it informed.

Alternate fuel options like kerosene and coal have been offered to ease pressure on LPG demand. Additional allocation of 48,000 KL of kerosene, over and above the regular allocation, has been made to all the states/UTs.

States/UTs have been requested to identify locations in districts for distribution of kerosene.

Notably, Ministry of Coal has already issued order to Coal India and Singareni Coallieries to allot higher quantities to States for distributing coal to small, medium and other consumers.

States have been advised to facilitate the new PNG connections for both domestic and commercial consumers. A proposal for 10 per cent additional allocation of commercial LPG has been made to the States facilitating and expediting the process.

"The government is taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted availability and delivery of LPG cylinders to households; citizens are advised to rely only on official sources and avoid rumours. Citizens are requested to avoid panic bookings, use digital modes for LPG bookings, and refrain from visiting distributorships; home delivery of cylinders is being ensured," said the official statement.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While raids are necessary, the root cause is supply. Why is there a shortage in the first place? Increasing the booking interval to 45 days in rural areas is too long. My mother in the village struggles to manage with one cylinder for that duration.
R
Rohit P
The focus on digital bookings and home delivery is the right way forward. We should avoid crowding at distributors. But the website and app for my gas agency often crashes during peak booking times. Infrastructure needs to be strengthened too.
A
Ashwin V
Offering kerosene and coal as alternatives feels like a step back. Kerosene is so polluting and a health hazard, especially for indoor cooking. We should be accelerating PNG connections, not promoting older, dirtier fuels. The environmental cost is ignored.
M
Michael C
Living in Delhi, I've seen the panic booking firsthand. The government's message to avoid rumors is crucial. The war situation is disrupting global supply chains, it's a complex issue. The measures seem comprehensive, but execution on the ground is key.
N
Nisha Z
Hope the seized cylinders from these raids are quickly redistributed through proper channels to genuine customers who are waiting. Transparency in that process is important. Also, what about action against the officials who might be helping these hoarders?

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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