Government Refutes Rumors of Change in LPG Refill Booking Timeline
The Government of India has officially dismissed widespread reports and social media claims suggesting a shift in the mandatory waiting period for gas cylinder refills. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas clarified that the existing LPG refill booking timeline remains completely unchanged, calling the circulating news “incorrect and misleading”. Despite the ongoing geopolitical volatility in West Asia, the Centre reassured citizens that the country maintains adequate stocks of LPG, petrol, and diesel, urging the public to avoid panic-driven bookings.
The clarification comes after viral posts falsely claimed that new, staggered intervals had been implemented—such as 45 days for Ujjwala (PMUY) connections and 25 to 35 days for various non-PMUY categories. The Ministry has firmly debunked these figures, reiterating that the uniform system currently in place across India will continue without modification. Officials noted that while Strait of Hormuz tensions have slightly impacted import schedules, domestic production has been “stepped up” at refineries to ensure that no “dry out” occurs at local distributorships.
The Official LPG Booking Rules
The government confirmed that the standard timelines for booking a refill remain as follows:
- Urban Areas: 25 days between refills.
- Rural Areas: 45 days between refills.
- Uniform Policy: These timelines apply to all connection types, including single-cylinder and double-cylinder setups, regardless of whether they fall under the PMUY scheme.
Supplies Stable Despite West Asia Crisis
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry, addressed concerns regarding the “fourth week” of tensions in the Middle East.
- Refinery Output: Indian refineries are currently operating at high capacity with sufficient crude inventories to meet national demand.
- Shipment Updates: Two major Indian LPG carriers, Pine Gas (45,000 MT) and Jag Vasant (47,600 MT), have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are expected to dock at New Mangalore and Kandla ports by March 27-28.
- PNG Expansion: To further ease the load on LPG, the government is accelerating Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections. Over 7,500 new connections were provided in a single day, with a target to reach 60 lakh eligible households quickly.
Action Against Misinformation
The Ministry and Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOCL) have cautioned that spreading false rumors about fuel shortages is a punishable offense.
- Show-Cause Notices: Over 250 distributors have already been issued notices or suspended for facilitating panic-buying or failing to clarify rules to consumers.
- Official Advice: Consumers are urged to rely only on official government handles and avoid “unnecessary” bookings that could strain local delivery chains.
Author: M Jyosri
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