Govt acts against LPG hoarding, seizes 15,000 cylinders in 12,000 nationwide raids

The Centre on Tuesday said it has intensified action against LPG hoarding across the country conducting over 12000 raids and seizing more than 15000 cylinders amid reports of panic buying and rumours of a supply shortage reported news agency IANSOfficials however reiterated that there is no shortage of LPG and urged consumers to avoid unnecessary bookings12000 raids conducted to curb hoardingSujata Sharma Joint Secretary in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry said enforcement teams have been actively carrying out inspections to prevent hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders reported IANSShe said the largescale crackdown is aimed at stabilising supply and ensuring that cylinders reach genuine domestic consumers without disruptionGovt assures adequate LPG availabilityDespite the surge in demand the government maintained that LPG stocks remain sufficient across the country Sharma noted that nearly 70000 bookings were recorded on Monday alone largely driven by panic buying reported IANSShe appealed to consumers to remain calm and avoid excessive or duplicate bookings stating that the supply chain is functioning normallyPush for digital bookings and complianceHighlighting the role of digital platforms Sharma said around 94 per cent of domestic LPG bookings are now being made online She encouraged consumers to continue using digital channels for convenience and transparency reported IANSShe also noted an improvement in Delivery Authenticity Code DAC compliance which has reached 76 per cent helping streamline distribution and reduce irregularitiesStates allocate LPG for essential servicesSeveral states including Bihar Delhi Haryana Rajasthan Gujarat Karnataka and Uttarakhand have taken steps to prioritise LPG supply for essential services by allocating nondomestic cylinders where requiredThese measures are intended to ensure uninterrupted functioning of critical sectors such as hospitals community kitchens and other essential establishmentsFresh supplies arrive amid global disruptionsAmid concerns over global energy disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia the government said fresh LPG shipments are continuing to arrive in IndiaSpecial Secretary Shipping Rajesh Kumar Sinha informed that the LPG carrier Nanda Devi docked at Kandla port early Tuesday while another vessel Shivalik arrived at Mundra port a day earlier He added that cargo is being transferred from larger ships to smaller vessels for efficient inland distribution reported IANSDiversifying imports to ensure stabilityTo safeguard against potential supply disruptions India has begun sourcing LPG from multiple global markets including the United States as part of its strategy to diversify imports reported IANSOfficials said these steps are aimed at maintaining steady availability and preventing any future shortages amid ongoing geopolitical tensionsIndian crew safe nationals repatriatedProviding an update on the situation in the Gulf region Sinha said all 22 Indian vessels and their crew members remain safe He added that 161 Indian nationals have been brought back to the country in the past 24 hours reported IANSThe government reiterated that it is closely monitoring the situation and taking proactive measures to ensure energy security and public convenienceWith inputs from IANS