LPG Gas Shortage Worsens; Rules For Cylinder Booking Revised

Amid a global decline in LPG gas supplies driven by escalating tensions between Iran and Israel new guidelines have been announced for domestic gas consumers in India, a move that could further exacerbate the difficulties faced by the general public.

The Union Ministry of Petroleum has revised the rules for booking gas cylinders, meaning consumers will now have to wait longer than before to book a refill. According to information received from gas agencies in Faridkot, the Department of Petroleum has issued these new guidelines.

Under this new framework, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) will now be permitted to book a 14.2 kg cylinder only after a waiting period of 45 days. Meanwhile, the booking interval for general domestic consumers has also been extended. Consumers with a single cylinder connection can now book a refill after 25 days, while consumers with a double cylinder connection will have to wait 35 days.

Under the new system, a 5 kg cylinder can be booked after 16 days for Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries, and after 9 days for general consumers with a single cylinder connection. For 10 kg cylinders, the waiting period is 18 days. Furthermore, for consumers with a double cylinder connection, a 5 kg cylinder can be booked after 12 days, and a 10 kg cylinder after 25 days.

Previously, following the Iran Israel tensions, the Ministry of Petroleum had implemented a 21 day rule for cylinder bookings; this was subsequently revised to 25 days for urban areas and 45 days for rural areas. Now, the Ministry has issued a fresh set of guidelines by categorizing all consumers into three distinct groups.

Confirming this directive, Sunil Jain, spokesperson for the District Gas Agency Association, Faridkot, stated that these orders have come into effect immediately. He appealed to consumers to use gas judiciously during these challenging times and to book refills only after carefully assessing their actual requirements. This change has been implemented in light of the issues affecting gas supplies, which could result in consumers having to wait longer while grappling with fuel shortages.