In a nationwide crackdown on hoarding and black marketing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) amid supply concerns linked to the West Asia situation, authorities have conducted over one lakh raids and seized more than 52,000 cylinders, officials said on Monday.
Over 850 FIRs have been registered and around 220 persons arrested as part of the enforcement drive. Oil marketing companies have issued more than 1,500 show-cause notices to distributors, while 118 distributorships have been penalised and 41 suspended.
Even as enforcement action has intensified, the government said there has been no major disruption reported in domestic LPG supply. More than 18 crore cylinders have been delivered to households since March 1, with no reports of dry-outs at distributorships. Online bookings now account for about 97 percent of total demand, while Delivery Authentication Code-based distribution has reached around 90 percent, aimed at curbing diversion.
Commercial LPG supply has been restored to about 70 percent of pre-crisis levels, with prioritisation of domestic consumption and essential services such as hospitals and educational institutions.
To manage demand, booking intervals have been increased from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural regions. The government has also urged consumers to adopt alternative fuels such as piped natural gas, electric or induction cooktops, while states have been directed to step up enforcement and counter misinformation.
Officials said there has been no unusual volatility in prices of essential commodities, with adequate buffer stocks of rice, wheat, pulses and sugar available. Edible oil supplies remain stable, supported by steady imports and domestic production.
The measures come against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in West Asia, including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, which have impacted global energy markets and shipping routes. However, Indian vessels continue to operate safely, and authorities said the situation is being closely monitored to ensure uninterrupted supplies.
