The central government on Wednesday directed all states and union territories to keep a close eye on supplies liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to combat hoarding and black market activities. During a high-level meeting, Union Home Minister Govind Mohan urged chief secretaries and directors-general of police (DGPs) to implement strict measures against illegal hoarding of essential commodities and ensure steady flow of supplies, ANI reports.
The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced that the domestic LPG production increased by around 25%, with all production now being diverted to household consumers. For foreign LPG, the ministry said priority is given to critical industries, including hospitals and educational institutions.
In Delhi, the price of a domestic LPG cylinder is currently ₹913, after recent ₹60 hikes. However, the price for PMUY beneficiaries remains subsidized ₹613 per cylinder. To support the industry, the government approved a ₹30,000 crore compensation package for oil marketing companies to cover underutilization of LPG.
India relies on imports for about 60 percent of its LPG consumption. Significantly, about 90 percent of these imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently affected by regional hostilities. As a result, a three-member committee of managing directors from IOCL, HPCL and BPCL has been formed to oversee allocations to hotels, restaurants and commercial entities to ensure equitable distribution of existing stocks.
Regarding natural gason March 9, 2026, the government issued a regulation on the control of natural gas under the Basic Commodities Act. The move aims to manage supply and protect priority sectors. Officials have confirmed that domestic piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles will receive 100 percent of the required supply without any rebates.
“In light of the current geopolitical fuel supply disruptions and LPG supply constraints, the ministry has issued orders to oil refineries to produce more LPG and utilize this excess production for domestic LPG use,” the ministry said in a post on X social media.
Delhi government says there is no shortage of LPG, petrol, diesel
At the same time, the Delhi government has given assurances that the supply of petrol, diesel and LPG will remain stable in the city. Authorities urged residents to ignore “rumors” of a potential shortage. A statement from the chief minister’s office clarified that there is no shortage of fuel in the capital, noting that officials have been directed to take strict action against gas theft or black marketing.
The Delhi Police and Revenue Department have been put on high alert to avoid any irregularities. Earlier in the day, Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma reviewed the logistics and issued instructions to the concerned departments. The government concluded its appeal by asking citizens to remain calm and avoid unnecessary hoarding or panic buying fueled by misinformation.
