Small packet, big bang! Appu Cylinder showed its true colors, how it failed even the big ones?

24LPG Small Cylinder: Due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the supply and distribution of LPG in India has been affected. A 14.2-kg domestic cylinder, which is used to refill smaller cylinders, is now being sold in the black market for up to Rs 5,000. The official price of LPG refill is currently Rs 914. Those who are still refilling 5-kg LPG cylinders are charging Rs 400 to Rs 500 for one kg of gas. So the price of 14-kg cylinder will become Rs 5,600. This is seven times more than the legal price.

Daddy made a small cylinder!

The 5-kg red cylinder is now heavier than the 14-kg cylinder. Small in size, but huge in price. According to media reports, regarding this, Puneet Kumar, a resident of Noida, said that now it seems that ‘Chhotu’ has become ‘Daddy’, in fact he has now become ‘Grandfather’. Unlike Kumar, who tried to use his small cylinder as a backup, lakhs of migrants, bachelors and handcart drivers consider 5-kg LPG cylinders as their means of survival. These small cylinders, which can be refilled for a small fee in most of the black markets, ensure that their stove never goes cold. But, due to the recent shortage, it is no longer possible to refill these small cylinders.

According to India Today report, Rahul Ranjan, resident of Karol Bagh, New Delhi, was recently asked for Rs 400 per kg of gas for his 5-kg cylinder. But in India, not all small 5-kg LPG cylinders are illegal, nor are they refilled informally. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) also have their own ‘Chhotu’, ‘Mini’ and ‘Appu’ cylinders. But are these easy to achieve? Let us find out.

How did the LPG shortage occur?

Due to the US-Israel war on Iran, there has been a lot of pressure on LPG supply to India. About 90% of India’s LPG imports come through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, which has remained closed for most of the time since the war began on February 28. As the supply of LPG reduced, panic spread among the people in cities, towns and villages of India. The government has tightened the rules for booking LPG refills, increased prices slightly, and said steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply. But panic has also become a part of this entire situation. Even though the government and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have assured the people of continuous LPG supply, there have been reports of delays of 10 to 45 days in delivering LPG cylinders to homes.