Representative image. File | Photo credit: ANI
The Government of Madhya Pradesh has issued instructions to all District Collectors to manage LPG cylinder supply arrangements and prevent hoarding or black marketing in view of the ongoing shortage of supplies due to the West Asian war.
In a letter dated March 10, the government asked collectors to regularly check stock availability and suggest potential alternatives to commercial consumers.
“At the district level, district administration, food authority and oil company officials should hold regular meetings with LPG distributors to review the stock availability of commercial and domestic pressure cylinders,” said the letter by Karamveer Sharma, commissioner of food civil supplies and consumer protection department.
The department has also directed district administrations to ensure that there is no hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders at the distributor level
“A meeting of major commercial consumers of the district should also be held to advise them to use available stocks judiciously and use alternative sources of fuel supply 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 monitor and continuously monitor the situation,” it added.
The guidelines were issued after the Union government asked public sector oil companies to supply cooking gas only to domestic consumers.
As per the Centre’s instructions, oil companies have currently stopped supply to commercial consumers such as hotels, malls and industries using bulk LPG, apart from hospitals and educational institutions. The reservation period for refilling bottles for domestic use has also been increased to 25 days from the delivery of the previous bottle.
Meanwhile, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Govind Singh Rajpoot said the state has adequate stocks of petrol, diesel and domestic gas cylinders and the measures are being taken only to prevent black marketing and panic buying.
“The aim of this measure is to curb black marketing and panic buying and ensure fair and regular distribution of supplies to consumers,” he said in a statement.
Published – 12 March 2026 07:05 IST
