New Delhi, March 12: India has increased LPG production by 28% in the last five days through refinery directives, with additional procurement underway to safeguard domestic supply, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri informed Parliament on Thursday.
Addressing the Parliament of India, Puri said the government’s priority is to ensure uninterrupted cooking gas supply to over 33 crore households, particularly poor and vulnerable families.
He stated that the standard delivery cycle for domestic LPG cylinders remains unchanged at about 2.5 days from booking to delivery, in line with pre-crisis norms. Hospitals and educational institutions have been placed under uninterrupted priority supply to ensure continued access.
According to the minister, reports of hoarding and panic booking at the distributor and retail level are largely driven by consumer anxiety rather than an actual supply shortage.
To strengthen monitoring, the Delivery Authentication Code system is being expanded from 50% to 90% consumer coverage. The system requires customers to confirm delivery through a one-time code sent to their registered mobile number, reducing the possibility of diversion.
As part of demand management measures, the government has introduced a minimum booking gap of 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural and remote regions.
Enforcement efforts are being coordinated by oil marketing companies along with state administrations. A review meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary with Chief Secretaries of states has aligned central supply measures with state-level monitoring.
Commercial LPG distribution has also been regulated to prevent black marketing while ensuring availability for genuine users. A three-member committee comprising executive directors from Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited has assessed sectoral demand and distribution needs.
Based on the review, 20% of the average monthly commercial LPG requirement will be allocated through oil marketing companies in coordination with state governments.
The government also said the current non-subsidised domestic LPG price stands at ₹913 per cylinder following a recent ₹60 increase. Beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana continue to receive subsidised cylinders, with the additional burden estimated at less than 80 paise per day for households.
To offset losses faced by oil marketing companies, the government has approved ₹30,000 crore in compensation against under-recoveries incurred during FY25.
