Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have seized 1,357 LPG cylinders in a large-scale crackdown against black marketing and hoarding across 1,025 locations in the state, officials said on Monday. The operation was carried out by teams from the food and civil supplies department, district administrations, and the police following directives from the state government.

Eight FIRs have been registered against individuals and entities found prima facie involved in the illegal hoarding and sale of LPG cylinders. Officials emphasized that these measures aim to ensure uninterrupted availability of both domestic and commercial gas supplies across the state.

To strengthen coordination and oversight, the state government has constituted a six-member committee tasked with liaising with oil companies on the availability of petrol, diesel, CNG, PNG, and domestic LPG. The committee will continuously monitor stock levels, distribution timelines, and consumer complaints to prevent disruption in supply.

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Consumers using Piped Natural Gas (PNG) have been advised to refrain from booking LPG cylinders unnecessarily. According to Ajay Srivastava, the state’s nodal officer for oil companies, stock levels are adequate, with sufficient supplies maintained at the state’s 11 bottling plants and distributors’ warehouses. Officials also instructed domestic consumers to place their next booking only after 25 days since the previous refill and encouraged commercial users to use existing stocks judiciously and consider alternative fuels.

District collectors have been directed to act swiftly on any complaints regarding distribution delays or irregularities. Authorities are also emphasizing the dissemination of accurate information to consumers to curb misinformation and rumors, ensuring transparency in the supply chain.

The state’s Additional Chief Secretary for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, Rashmi Arun Shami, stressed that the government is committed to maintaining a smooth and timely gas distribution system. The coordinated efforts between local administrations, the police, and oil companies aim to guarantee uninterrupted supply to consumers while cracking down on illegal practices.

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