‘Domestic gas supply stable’

metro india news  I hyderabad

Minister for Civil Supplies Uttam Kumar Reddy has clarified that there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders across Telangana and assured the public that adequate supplies are being maintained throughout the state.

The Minister made these remarks after conducting a high level review meeting with LPG oil marketing companies and holding a video conference with all District Collectors to assess the availability and distribution of cooking gas cylinders. He stated that the government is closely monitoring the supply chain and has taken necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted access for domestic consumers.

According to the data shared during the review, Telangana currently caters to nearly 1.3 crore domestic LPG consumers through a network of about 810 distributors. The average monthly consumption in the state stands at around 60 lakh cylinders. In response to the recent increase in demand, the daily supply of domestic cylinders has been enhanced from the usual 2.15 lakh cylinders to about 2.3 lakh cylinders to ensure smooth distribution.

While the domestic segment remains stable, the Minister acknowledged that there is a genuine shortage in the commercial LPG sector. Earlier, nearly 23000 commercial cylinders were supplied daily, but the supply has dropped to around 6200 cylinders as the Central Government is presently providing only about 20 percent of the required allocation.

To manage the current situation, the state government has decided to prioritize the distribution of commercial cylinders to essential institutions such as schools, colleges, and both Central and State Government establishments so that their operations are not disrupted.

The Telangana Government has also written to the Central Government requesting an immediate increase in the allocation of commercial LPG cylinders to help stabilize the supply in the state.

To prevent artificial scarcity and illegal hoarding, a Command Control Room has been established at Civil Supplies Bhavan to continuously monitor LPG distribution. Citizens are encouraged to report any irregularities, black marketing, or hoarding by contacting the toll free helpline number 180042500344.

The Minister warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found creating artificial shortages or engaging in black marketing. He also appealed to citizens to avoid panic booking or ordering refills unless necessary, stating that unnecessary bookings put avoidable pressure on the distribution system.

AP ministers warn of strict action against artificial gas shortages

metro india news  I amaravati

In a high-level review meeting held on Saturday, Andhra Pradesh ministers Payyavula Keshav and Acchennaidu addressed concerns over potential cooking gas (LPG) supply issues amid rising public anxiety. The ministers issued a strong warning: strictest action would be taken against anyone found deliberately creating artificial shortages or causing unnecessary public panic. 

Minister Payyavula Keshav noted that increased cylinder bookings have surged due to public concern and anxiety. He emphasized that all bookings must continue exclusively online, with cylinders delivered only after OTP  verification to curb black marketing and ensure fair distribution. 

He appealed for public cooperation to avoid any disruptions and assured that the government has made necessary arrangements to prevent shortages or inconveniences. 

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Civil Supplies Department and representatives from major oil companies. The ministers instructed officials to develop coordinated plans with the central government; ensuring strategies reflect on-the-ground realities to prevent any gas shortage in the state.

A control room has been established at the AP Secretariat's RTGS facility, with continuous coordination among revenue, civil supplies, police and oil company representatives. 

Social media is being actively monitored, with regular press releases issued through official channels to counter misinformation. At the district level, control rooms have been set up with officials from revenue, civil supplies, police, and other departments for round-the-clock oversight. 

The government has mandated checks on LPG stock points every six hours. According to the latest official data, the state has a total of 161.19 lakh domestic LPG connections. These are distributed among the major oil marketing companies (OMCs) as follows- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL): 56.86 lakh connections, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL): 74.11 lakh connections, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL): 30.22 lakh connections.

The state's daily domestic LPG requirement stands at approximately 4,000 metric tonnes (MT), with additional non-domestic (commercial) demand. Bookings continue on a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) basis, with close monitoring of pending requests at distributor, market, district, sales area, and regional levels. Essential sectors, including hospitals, hostels and government services continue to receive priority in commercial supplies.