Madhya Pradesh govt directs Collectors to review LPG supply arrangements, prevent black marketing

The Madhya Pradesh Government has issued directions to all district collectors to manage the LPG cylinder supply arrangements and prevent hoarding or black marketing in view of the ongoing supply shortage due the war in West Asia. 

In a letter dated March 10, the govt has asked the collectors to regularly review the stock availability as well as suggest potential alternatives to commercial consumers.

“At the district level, the District Administration, Food Department and oil company officials should hold regular meetings with LPG distributors to review the stock availability of commercial and domestic cylinders,” read the letter by Karamveer Sharma, Commissioner of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection department.

The department also directed the district administrations to ensure that there is no hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders at the distributor level

“Meetings of large commercial consumers of the district should also be held to advise them to make judicious use of the available stock and to use alternative fuel supply sources to meet their fuel requirements,” it said. 

“In connection with the above, the Oil Marketing Company and its field officers have been instructed to remain in constant touch with the district administration and review and keep continuous monitoring of the situation,” it added. 

The directions have been issued after the Union Government has asked the public sector oil companies to only supply the cooking gas to domestic consumers.

Following the Centre’s directions, the oil companies have currently halted supply to commercial consumers such as hotels, malls, and industries using bulk LPG, barring hospitals and educational institutions. The refill booking period for the domestic cylinders has also been increased to 25 days since the delivery of the previous cylinder. 

Meanwhile, Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection Minister Govind Singh Rajpoot said that the State has an adequate stock of petrol, diesel, and domestic gas cylinders, and that the measures are only being taken to prevent black marketing and panic buying. 

“The objective of this measure is to curb black-marketing and panic-buying, and to ensure an equitable and regular distribution of supplies to consumers,” he said in a statement.