Domestic LPG cylinder prices rise to ₹1,800 in black market:Commercial cylinders being sold for ₹4,000 per 19 kg

Due to the war between US-Israel and Iran, the shortage of LPG is increasing across the country. Long queues are forming at gas cylinder agencies. Additionally, black marketing of gas cylinders has begun. In Bihar, domestic gas cylinders are being charged up to ₹1,800. Meanwhile in Madhya Pradesh, commercial cylinders are being sold in black market for ₹4,000. Moreover, due to restrictions on commercial gas cylinder supply, hotels and restaurants have started cooking food on induction. Madhya Pradesh: Commercial cylinder being sold in black market for ₹4,000 Commercial cylindery of ₹1,918 are being sold in black market for ₹4,000 in Bhopal. Bhaskar investigation revealed that at Bharat Gas agency in Barkheda Pathani, Bhopal, cylinders are being openly sold for ₹4,000. The government has implemented the Essential Commodities Act to prevent black marketing but it has not affected the black marketers. Private gas agency operators, employees and brokers are also involved in this game. Additionally, those doing illegal gas refilling are also taking advantage of the situation. Bihar: Domestic gas cylinder available in black market for ₹1,800 Due to the shortage of gas cylinders, black marketing has increased. A gas cylinder worth ₹918 is being sold in black for ₹1,700 to ₹1,800. Similarly, commercial gas cylinders which normally cost ₹1,910 are being charged up to ₹5,000 in black market. Uttar Pradesh: Cylinder immediately available at ₹1,600 in black market Amidst the shortage of LPG cylinders in the country, their prices are also skyrocketing. In Lucknow, people are not getting cylinders even after standing in line all day. People claim that despite all this, a cylinder worth Rs 950 is immediately available for Rs 1600. Commercial cylinders are also easily available at ₹3,500. Punjab: People standing in lines with cylinders in front of agencies, still not getting gas Commercial cylinders have stopped being available in Punjab, while there are also problems with booking domestic cylinders. Where domestic cylinders were delivered to homes before the crisis, now the situation is such that people are standing in lines with cylinders in front of agencies. Still, they are not getting gas. In Jalandhar, people are forced to buy commercial cylinders in black market. The cylinder that was previously available for Rs 1,600 is now being sold for Rs 3,500. However, administrative officers of all districts are saying that there is no problem with LPG. They have ample gas storage. Rajasthan: Food supply becoming difficult in messes and hostels Commercial and domestic consumers are facing increased troubles due to disruption in gas supply. The government has cancelled leaves of food department officials and employees. Teams are conducting raids to prevent black marketing. Due to shortage of gas cylinders in Kota, the demand for wood and coal furnaces has increased. Furnaces weighing 35 to 40 kilos are being made for mess and hostels, but due to increasing demand, supply is becoming difficult. Uttarakhand: 70% Food Items Missing from Hotel-Dhaba Menus
The supply of commercial gas cylinders being affected in Dehradun and Haldwani has created a major crisis for hotels, restaurants, dhabas and cart operators. Due to cylinder shortage, many establishments have removed about 70% of food items from their menu, while many people are busy making alternative arrangements. Haryana: LPG stock decreases, OTP not coming The delivery of domestic cylinders which used to happen in 1-2 days earlier, now requires waiting up to a week. Long queues of people are forming outside gas agencies in Hisar, Sonipat, Fatehabad, Hansi, Panipat, Kaithal, Rewari and Faridabad. Government takes 5 crucial steps to deal with crisis 1. High-Level Committee Formed: In view of the crisis, the Ministry of Petroleum has formed a high-level committee of executive directors from three oil companies to review the supply. 2. Essential Commodities Act Implemented: To control gas supply, the central government has implemented the ‘Essential Commodities Act 1955’ across the country. 3. LPG Booking After 25 Days: Rules for domestic cylinder booking have been changed. Consumers can book another cylinder only 25 days after the delivery of the first cylinder. 4. OTP and Biometric Mandatory: To prevent gas hoarding, delivery agents are strictly using OTP or biometric verification. 5. Order to Increase LPG Production: Government had ordered all oil refineries to increase LPG production. Sources say production has now increased by 10%. 2 Reasons for Supply Crisis: 1. Near Closure of Strait of Hormuz The biggest challenge for India is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This is approximately 167 km long waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Due to the Iran war, this route is no longer safe. Given the risks, no oil tankers are passing through there. 20% of the world’s total petroleum passes through here. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait also depend on this for their exports. India imports 50% of its crude oil needs and 54% of LNG through this route. Iran itself exports through this route. 2. LNG production stopped due to drone attack on plant Last week, the US-Israel conducted strikes on Iran. In response, Iran has targeted American bases in countries like UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. After Iran’s drone attack, Qatar, the largest gas supplier to India, has stopped production at its LNG plant. This has reduced gas supply to India. India imports 40% of its LNG needs (about 27 million tons annually) from Qatar alone. When will the situation improve? Indian Oil Chief General Manager (LPG) K.M. Thakur says that customers need not panic and should not book cylinders in panic. The government is now considering importing alternative cargo from countries like America. Meanwhile, at the international level, G7 countries are discussing releasing supply from their emergency oil reserves to reduce the energy crisis in the global market. Additional crude oil is also expected from Russia and Algeria. Government increased domestic gas cylinder prices by ₹60
The government has increased domestic gas cylinder prices by ₹60. In Delhi, 14.2 kg LPG gas is now available for ₹913. Earlier it was ₹853 rupees. The increased prices have been effective from March 7. Meanwhile, the price of 19 kg commercial cylinder was increased by ₹115 on March 1. It is now available for ₹1,883.