Hyderabad, March 31 Telangana Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday appealed to Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri for urgent additional LPG supplies by the Centre, given the shortages being faced by LPG-powered auto-rickshaws in the state, primarily in Hyderabad.
In a letter addressed to Puri, Reddy stated that domestic LPG supply is maintained at 10 per cent to meet essential household needs, and commercial LPG allocations are regulated in accordance with the Union government's guidelines.
However, he said, the auto LPG segment in Telangana has been significantly impacted.
A large number of auto-rickshaws in the state operate on LPG, and according to available data, around one lakh LPG auto-rickshaws are operating in the state, he said.
The auto LPG distribution network in Telangana comprises both public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private operators. PSUs, including IOCL, HPCL, and BPCL, collectively account for 20 per cent of the market, operating 33 outlets, while private operators operate a network of 110 outlets, accounting for 80 per cent of the market share.
"Due to the prevailing supply constraints, there is a shortfall of around 55 MTs per day of auto LPG. The majority of private outlets are facing shortages, leading to disruptions in public transport services and consequent public disorder," Reddy said.
Reddy urged the union minister to increase the availability of auto LPG at PSU outlets and immediately issue instructions to IOCL, HPCL, and BPCL to support the private marketing companies by supplying the deficit LPG to private entities engaged in auto LPG distribution.
While the current price of auto LPG at public sector outlets is Rs 75 per litre, the private marketing companies are selling at Rs 93 per litre, he said, adding that regulatory measures should be put in place to prevent unwarranted price increases by private entities during the crisis.
