Gaya. The district administration in Gaya has sought to reassure residents that there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders, after rumours of a supply crunch triggered an unusual surge in demand across the district.
A review meeting was held at the Collectorate auditorium following directions from district magistrate Shashank Shubhankar. The meeting was chaired by additional collector (law and order) Mohammad Safiq and attended by representatives of domestic gas agencies, sub-divisional officers and marketing officials.
According to officials and representatives of major gas companies, the supply of domestic LPG cylinders in the district remains normal and sufficient to meet current demand. Authorities said that while some distributors briefly experienced stock shortages, these were temporary and caused by panic buying rather than any disruption in supply.
The surge in demand comes amid a nationwide increase in the price of the standard 14.2kg domestic LPG cylinder. Officials said the price was raised by Rs 60 from 7 March due to international factors affecting energy markets. At the same time, the minimum interval for booking a refill has been extended from 15 days to 25 days.
Authorities also said that the supply of LPG cylinders has been brought under the provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), a move intended to ensure uninterrupted distribution.
Consumers can book LPG refills online or by visiting their local gas agency and collect the cylinder using a one-time password (OTP) generated during the booking process, officials said, describing the system as straightforward and convenient.
Based on existing stocks and regular supplies from bottling plants, the administration said the district currently has adequate reserves and there is no immediate risk of a supply crisis.
To prevent black marketing and hoarding, block supply officers, police station heads and other officials have been directed to monitor the lifting and distribution of LPG cylinders closely. Authorities said action would be taken against any irregularities found during inspections.
District officials said the situation is being monitored continuously and necessary steps will be taken to ensure uninterrupted supply. Residents have been urged not to panic or stockpile cylinders, as availability across the district remains normal.
