Government Clamps Down on Dual PNG-LPG Connections to Stabilize Cooking Gas Supply
In a decisive move to alleviate mounting pressure on domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies, the Indian government on Saturday imposed a strict ban on consumers maintaining both piped natural gas (PNG) connections and LPG cylinder refills. Under new regulations, individuals with PNG access must surrender their LPG connections immediately, as authorities aim to streamline distribution and curb panic-driven demand.
Gazette Notification and Prohibited Activities
The government issued a formal gazette notification under the Essential Commodities Act, amending the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order to include these critical clauses. This legal framework now explicitly declares the supply of domestic LPG cylinder refills to consumers who already own PNG connections as a "prohibited activity". While the exact number of dual-connection holders remains unspecified, petroleum ministry officials estimate the figure could be substantial, necessitating urgent intervention.
Surge in Panic Bookings and Supply Concerns
Petroleum ministry data reveals a alarming spike in panic bookings for LPG refills, which escalated by nearly 60% from 55.7 lakh in February to 88.8 lakh by March 13. This surge has strained the system, compelling the government to implement immediate corrective measures. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the petroleum ministry, acknowledged that LPG supply remains an "issue of concern", but emphasized that ensuring uninterrupted delivery to domestic consumers, educational institutions, and hospitals is the highest priority.
Boosting Production and Promoting Digital Solutions
To mitigate supply challenges, the government is actively exploring new geographical sources for LPG procurement while domestic refineries have ramped up production by 31%. Concurrently, public sector oil companies have been instructed to aggressively promote digital LPG booking platforms. Sharma highlighted that 84% of consumers already book refills online, yet unnecessary visits to dealerships continue to exacerbate queues and logistical bottlenecks.
Consumers are strongly advised to utilize digital channels for refill bookings, including IVRS calls, SMS, WhatsApp, and mobile applications offered by oil marketing companies. Sharma noted that a malfunctioning IVRS system at one oil company has been rectified, ensuring smoother digital access. She reiterated the call for both domestic and commercial users to transition to PNG, which is available across 307 geographical areas in India.
Incentives for PNG Adoption and Anti-Hoarding Measures
To accelerate the shift to piped gas, Indraprastha Gas Limited in Delhi announced a promotional waiver of Rs 500 on the first bill for consumers who activate dormant PNG connections or obtain new ones by March 31. The company has doubled its daily connection capacity from 700-800 to 1,500, responding to a surge in queries that have increased three to fourfold within just two days in the capital.
To combat black marketing and hoarding, coordinated teams from state food and civil supplies departments and oil marketing companies are conducting raids and taking stringent action against violators. These efforts aim to ensure fair distribution and prevent exploitation of the current supply constraints.
The government's multifaceted strategy—combining regulatory restrictions, production boosts, digital promotion, and anti-hoarding enforcement—seeks to stabilize the cooking gas ecosystem and safeguard essential supplies for households and critical institutions nationwide.
