5 kg LPG cylinders now available over the counter, govt urges calm amid Hormuz concerns
PTC News Desk: The government on Sunday said that 5 kg LPG cylinders will now be available over the counter and oil marketing companies would pay discounted prices to refiners in a bid to keep the prices of petrol and diesel under control.
Unlike the subsidised domestic 14.2-kg cylinders, the 5 kg bottles, called FTL cylinders, are priced at market rates and do not require any address proof for procurement from a nearby LPG distributorship.
The Ministry said there is no shortage of LPG at distributor points. Over 51 lakh domestic cylinders were delivered in a day, and 95% of bookings were made online. Authorities are also taking strict action against hoarding and black marketing—more than 50,000 cylinders have been seized since March, over 1,400 notices have been issued, and 36 LPG dealerships have been suspended.
The government is giving priority to LPG and piped natural gas (PNG) for homes and essential services like hospitals and schools. It is also increasing refinery production and trying to control demand by spacing out LPG refills.
Supplies of commercial LPG have been reduced to 70% of normal levels, but smaller cylinders are being made easily available to manage demand. For natural gas, full supply is being maintained for homes and transport. Supply to fertiliser plants will increase to about 90% from April 6, helped by incoming LNG shipments.
All refineries are running at high capacity with enough crude oil, and petrol pumps across the country are fully stocked. The Ministry has again advised people not to panic buy and to trust official information.
- With inputs from agencies
