Chhattisgarh Government Intensifies Action Against Domestic LPG Cylinder Misuse
The Chhattisgarh government has significantly ramped up its efforts to combat the misuse of domestic LPG cylinders across the state. In a coordinated crackdown, the food department and district administrations have conducted a total of 214 raids, resulting in the seizure of 1,013 cylinders so far. This decisive action aims to safeguard the regular availability of subsidized cooking gas for genuine household consumers and prevent its diversion for unauthorized commercial purposes.
District-Wide Seizures and Enforcement Review
Officials reported that Raipur district led the state with the highest number of confiscations at 392 cylinders, followed closely by Bilaspur district with 201 cylinders seized. The enforcement drive was thoroughly reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Food Secretary Reena Babasaheb Kangale on Tuesday. The session included the food director and regional managers from the three public sector oil companies, focusing on streamlining LPG distribution and accessibility.
Enhancing Consumer Access and Booking Channels
During the meeting, Secretary Kangale directed officials to widely publicize multiple LPG booking channels to simplify the process for consumers. This includes promoting various contact methods such as:
- Dedicated WhatsApp numbers
- Mobile contact numbers
- Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) lines
- Official website links for online bookings
She specifically emphasized the broader dissemination of Indian Oil Corporation's new booking contacts, including the mobile number 8927225667 and the IVRS number 8391990070, to ensure consumers can access refill services without any difficulty.
Streamlining Supply and Clearing Backlogs
To address consumer inconvenience, Secretary Kangale instructed officials to quickly clear pending LPG bookings and confirmed that cylinder supply has been increased across all districts. The state has also implemented a balanced and priority-based system for commercial LPG distribution, aligning with Union petroleum ministry guidelines. This system ensures that essential public services remain uninterrupted, with gas supply allocated according to monthly requirements for:
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Educational institutions
- Military and paramilitary camps
- Jails and correctional facilities
- Hostels and social welfare institutions
- Railway stations and airport canteens
Revised Commercial LPG Allocation Framework
Under the new distribution framework, commercial LPG supply for government offices, canteens, and guest houses operated by the Centre, state, and their public sector undertakings will be capped at 50% of their previous consumption levels. Additionally, sectors such as animal feed manufacturing plants, seed production units, hotels, and restaurants will receive supply within a fixed limit of 20%.
Ensuring Subsidy Benefits and Grievance Redressal
The state government clarified that the ongoing seizures are intended to ensure domestic LPG is used exclusively for its subsidized purpose, guaranteeing that ordinary consumers receive uninterrupted benefits. For complaints related to LPG booking and supply, the food department's call center numbers 1800-233-3663 and 1967 remain active, with grievances being resolved in coordination with oil companies on a priority basis.
