New Delhi: The Delhi Government has introduced a priority-based policy for distributing commercial LPG cylinders in the national capital as the city faces
a supply shortage. The policy notice was issued on March 14 by the Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs following directions from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. According to the notice, up to 20 per cent of the average daily consumption of commercial LPG cylinders in Delhi — around 1,800 cylinders — will now be supplied through a regulated system managed by the three Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). The notice said that under the priority-based allocation framework, eight sectors have been identified. "Educational institutions, hospitals, railways and airports have been accorded Priority 1 status and will receive up to 100% of their daily requirement, capped at 11% of the total allocation with an approximate daily consumption of 200 cylinders. Government and PSU institutions, departments and canteens operating on their premises have been placed at Priority 2 with a 13% cap (236 cylinders). Restaurants and eateries, accounting for the largest sectoral share, have been placed at Priority 3 at 42% (762 cylinders), followed by hotels, hospitality units, guest houses and trusts at Priority 4 with 4% (72 cylinders). Dairies, bakeries and sweet shops stand at Priority 5 with 11% (200 cylinders), caterers and banquet halls at Priority 6 with 9% (162 cylinders), dry cleaning, packaging and pharmaceutical units at Priority 7 with 1% (18 cylinders), and sports facilities, stadiums and others at Priority 8 with 8% (150 cylinders)," the notice stated. The policy also details how the supply will be divided among the three major public sector oil companies. "The daily cylinder quota will be divided among the three OMCs in proportion to their current market share -- Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at 58%, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at 27%, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) at 15%," the notice stated. Explaining the supply system, the notice said, "Supply will be made primarily in the standard 19-kg cylinder format, except where specific capacity requirements exist for Priority 1 institutions. No supply will be made in 5-kg cylinders, as their distribution is not undertaken through LPG distributors in the commercial supply chain."
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Authorities said the distribution will be based strictly on booking requests made by consumers, and pending orders will be fulfilled on a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) basis.
To ensure fair distribution and prevent hoarding, the notice added, "the daily quantity supplied to each consumer will be determined based on their average daily consumption during the preceding three months, as recorded in OMC software systems. Supply will be restricted to the sectoral cap percentages indicated in the priority table."
The government has also announced strict enforcement measures to prevent illegal activities related toLPG cylinders.
"Joint enforcement teams comprising the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Delhi Police, Legal Metrology Department, and the OMCs will conduct regular inspections and enforcement operations to prevent diversion, hoarding, illegal storage, under-weighing and black marketing of LPG cylinders. Strict action will be taken under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order against any violations," the notice stated.
To reduce pressure on LPG demand during the current shortage, the government has also suggested alternative cooking options.
To reduce pressure on commercial LPG demand during the present supply constraints, the notice said, "Institutions have been encouraged to temporarily adopt alternative cooking systems, including electric induction cooking, steam-based cooking systems, and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections wherever available."
The government also plans to regularly update the public on LPG availability.
To prevent panic and misinformation, "The Delhi Government will issue daily supply bulletins regarding the availability of LPG cylinders. OMCs have been directed to undertake public awareness messaging urging consumers to avoid panic booking, not hoard LPG cylinders, and report any illegal diversion, hoarding or black marketing," the policy notice stated.
The policy has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and signed by Additional Commissioner (F&S) Arun Kumar Jha. Officials said the rules may be reviewed or revised depending on the changing supply situation in the coming days.
(With Inputs from ANI)
