5-kg LPG Sales Surge, Govt Cracks Down on Hoarding
Over 6.6 lakh small cylinders sold since March 23 amid rising demand
- 6.6 lakh 5-kg LPG cylinders sold since March 23
- Over 90,000 cylinders sold in a single day on April 4
- Govt seizes 50,000+ cylinders, suspends 36 dealerships
- Supply prioritised for households, hospitals and essential services
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th April: The sale of small 5-kg LPG cylinders has witnessed a sharp rise as the government ramps up supply to meet growing demand, with around 6.6 lakh bottles sold across the country since March 23.
According to the Petroleum Ministry, more than 90,000 5-kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders were sold on April 4 alone. These cylinders, available over-the-counter at LPG distributorships on showing valid ID proof, are priced at market rates and do not require address verification, making them more accessible to consumers.
Officials said there are no reports of shortages at distributor points, with over 51 lakh domestic LPG cylinders delivered in a single day. Online bookings accounted for nearly 95 per cent of total demand, indicating a stable and responsive supply system.
To curb irregularities, authorities have intensified action against hoarding and black marketing. Since March, more than 50,000 cylinders have been seized, over 1,400 show-cause notices issued, and 36 LPG dealerships suspended.
The government has prioritised LPG and piped natural gas (PNG) supply for households and essential services, including hospitals and educational institutions. At the same time, commercial LPG supplies have been restricted to 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels to ensure availability for domestic use.
In addition, refineries are operating at high capacity with sufficient crude oil stocks, while petrol pumps across the country remain fully stocked. Natural gas supply for fertiliser plants is expected to rise to about 90 per cent of average consumption from April 6, supported by incoming LNG shipments.
The government has reiterated its appeal to consumers to avoid panic buying and rely on official communication, assuring that supply chains remain stable and well-managed.
