Lucknow, 12 March. Amid rising tensions in West Asia, rumors regarding possible shortage of domestic LPG cylinders have created an atmosphere of panic in many cities of Uttar Pradesh. Due to this, a large number of people booked gas cylinders simultaneously, due to which the servers of the companies slowed down and long queues formed outside the gas agencies at many places. However, the administration has clarified that the domestic LPG supply is sufficient and there is no shortage. According to gas agency operators, nervousness among people has also increased due to the recently implemented rule, in which new booking is allowed only 25 days after the last refill.
Operators say that due to thousands of consumers booking simultaneously, the pressure on the online system increased and servers were temporarily affected at many places. After this many consumers started reaching the gas agencies directly. A crowd of people was seen at about 80 gas agencies in Meerut. Many consumers complained that even after booking, there is a delay in the delivery of the cylinder. However, Namoh Jain, president of Meerut Gas Dealers Association, said that the supply of domestic gas is normal and repeated booking due to panic has increased the pressure on the system.
District Magistrate VK Singh also said that there is no shortage of domestic gas in the district and strict action will be taken against those involved in hoarding or black marketing. Namoh Jain, president of Meerut Gas Dealers Association, dismissed concerns of any shortage. He said that the domestic LPG supply remains intact and without any interruption. According to him, due to panic among consumers, unnecessary and repeated bookings are taking place, which is putting pressure on the system. He further said that due to the current situation around the world, fear has increased among the people, even though the supply chains are stable and the situation is under control.
Hotel and restaurant operators in Prayagraj alleged that commercial LPG cylinders were being sold in the open market. Some hotel operators say that business is being affected due to slow supply of commercial cylinders. Harjinder Singh, President of Prayagraj Hotel and Restaurant Welfare Association, said that this crisis has not yet had a bad impact on the business, but problems may arise soon.
“Commercial supplies have been stopped. After the news spread on Monday, some people started selling cylinders at Rs 2,500- Rs 2,600. Some businesses have stocked up, but it will last only for two or three days,” he said. District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said that there is sufficient availability of domestic gas and three monitoring teams have been formed to stop black marketing.
People have been asked to book cylinders only through authorized apps and not buy gas from unauthorized sellers. In Kanpur too, due to rumours, long queues were seen at gas agencies. According to the administration, there are more than 11.44 lakh active LPG consumers in the district and cylinders are being supplied regularly. District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh said that petroleum companies have assured that the supply chain of domestic gas is completely normal.
The packaging industry has been affected due to disruption in commercial gas supply in Banaras. According to the UP Corrugated Box Manufacturers Association, production in about 50 packaging units has been affected, which may affect the livelihood of hundreds of workers. Even in Ghazipur district, the administration is keeping a close watch on gas agency operators and rumor mongers.
District Supply Officer (DSO) Anant Pratap Singh said that there is no problem of gas in the district. He has appealed to the people not to pay attention to rumours. Shri Anant Singh said, “There is no problem of gas in the district. Last year in the month of March, the demand for gas in the entire district was 12 thousand, whereas in March this year, the gas supply is around 12500. It means that people should not panic and should avoid rumours.”
However, the district administration has said that there is no shortage of domestic gas and the facility of online booking and home delivery continues. The administration has appealed to the people not to pay attention to rumors and avoid unnecessary hoarding. Officials say domestic LPG supply is normal and strict action will be taken against those involved in black marketing or hoarding. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has clarified that there is sufficient stock of petrol, diesel and domestic gas cylinders available in the state and there is no shortage of any kind.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the officials to take strict action against those involved in hoarding and black marketing by spreading rumors of alleged shortage of these products. According to the government, the supply of petrol and diesel is normal in all the districts of the state and there is adequate availability of domestic gas cylinders. The Chief Minister has directed the officials to constantly keep an eye on the supply chain and take immediate action if any irregularity is noticed.
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