Mumbai, March 17 There is no shortage of LPG in Maharashtra, and the stocks of petrol and diesel are adequate, state minister Chhagan Bhujbal told the legislative assembly on Tuesday, adding that the government was taking several measures to prevent the black marketing of these essential commodities.
The war in West Asia has disrupted the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to India. The country imports about 60 per cent of its LPG requirements, much of it via the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliation.
Making a statement in the legislative assembly, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bhujbal said, "There is no shortage of LPG in the state, and its domestic production has been increased from 9,000 metric tonnes to 11,000 metric tonnes per day to maintain a steady supply."
Petrol and diesel stocks are adequate, and their prices remain unchanged in the state, he said.
"Petroleum products, including LPG, petrol, and diesel, fall under the jurisdiction of the central government, which determines their prices," he said.
Due to the geopolitical tensions in West Asia, the prices of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60 to Rs 912.50, while the rates of commercial cylinders rose by Rs 114.50 to Rs 1,835 from March 7, Bhujbal noted.
Commercial LPG allocation is being prioritized for essential services such as hospitals, educational institutions, and public utilities, he said.
Under the state government's Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, 75 lakh beneficiaries receive three free refills of LPG cylinder annually, according to him.
"To curb the black marketing and illegal use of domestic LPG, the government has intensified enforcement under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Between January and March this year, a total of 2,129 inspections were carried out across 21 districts, leading to the seizure of more than 1,208 cylinders and the registration of 23 cases," the minister said, adding that 18 persons have been arrested in this connection.
District-level vigilance teams and special committees have been set up to monitor the supply and address bottlenecks. Control rooms have been activated at the state and district levels, and a WhatsApp helpline (9769919221) has been launched for public grievances, he said.
The minister added that regular review meetings are being held with oil marketing companies and distributors, and daily stock reporting has been made mandatory.
Police protection has been provided to employees involved in the transportation and distribution of LPG cylinders, while strict action will be taken against misinformation on social media, he said.
The government is also examining alternative fuel options, including kerosene, in case of any disruption in LPG supply, he said, adding that action will be taken against fake news on social media.
"All necessary steps are being taken to ensure the supply and distribution of kerosene in villages. Government companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), are coordinating with authorized petrol pumps to maintain transparency and prevent irregularities," he said.
Recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have temporarily affected the oil supplies, but the government has taken swift measures to ensure adequate availability of petroleum products and LPG across the country, the minister said.
There is a slowdown in the import of crude oil and petroleum products. Some Gulf countries have reduced their oil production, which has impacted the supplies, Bhujbal told the House.