The central government has increased sales of small 5kg LPG cylinders to meet rising demand in the war-torn country in West Asia, selling 6.6 lakh units since March 23. According to a report by news agency PTI, the availability of 5kg cylinders, sold over the counter at LPG distributors on presentation of valid identity documents, has increased.
5kg LPG cylinders which are also called FTL cylinders are valued at market prices. They do not require any proof of address to purchase. Subsidized domestic bottles, 14.2 kg bottles, require proof of address.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said in a statement: “More than 90,000 bottles of 5kg FTL were sold yesterday (April 4). Approximately 6.6,000,000 bottles of 5kg FTL have been sold since March 23, 2026.”
The diesel ministry also insisted that there are no reports of shortage of LPG cylinders at distribution points. It said more than 51,000,000 domestic bottles were delivered on the day, with online bookings accounting for 95 percent of total demand.
“The government is making all efforts to ensure availability of petrol, diesel and LPG and citizens are advised to avoid panic buying of petrol and diesel as well as unnecessary LPG booking,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile, as demand grows and amid reports of bottle hoarding, authorities have also stepped up against those who hoard bottles and are involved in the black marketing of bottles. Authorities have reportedly seized over 50,000 bottles since March.
They have also issued more than 1,400 notices to LPG distributors, with 36 dealerships suspended so far.
“No drying up has been reported in LPG distributions,” the ministry said, adding that “more than 51 million domestic LPG cylinders were supplied yesterday.”
The government has prioritized the supply of domestic LPG and piped natural gas (PNG), especially for households and critical services such as hospitals and educational institutions, while boosting refinery output and regulating demand by extending the interval between LPG refills.
Commercial LPG supplies have been limited to 70 percent of pre-crisis levels, with smaller cylinders widely available to ease pressure on demand.
On natural gas, the government said full supplies to households and transport are being maintained, while supplies to fertilizer factories are expected to rise to around 90 percent of average consumption from April 6, boosted by incoming LNG cargoes.
All refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate oil stocks and petrol pumps across the country remain fully stocked, the ministry said, reiterating its advice to avoid panic buying and rely on official information.
