Uttar Pradesh: Panic buying of LPG cylinders in Lakhimpur Kheri as rumours of supply disruption spread

Lakhimpur Kheri (UP): Reports of LPG supply being impacted due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East triggered panic among customers in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, with many rushing to gas agency distribution centres to collect cylinders on Tuesday.

District officials, however, ruled out any shortage of LPG cylinders and said the supply remained adequate.

Consumers made a beeline for the LPG distribution centres in Lakhimpur city and other parts of the district to collect their pre-booked cylinders.

Prashant, a local, told PTI that earlier his LPG cylinder used to be delivered on the same day or the next day of booking, but this time it had not been delivered even after five days, leaving him worried.

Hotel and restaurant owners were also a worried lot, claiming that the supply of commercial LPG cylinders was affected as agencies were prioritising domestic consumers. People engaged in catering services for weddings and other events were seen requesting commercial cylinders at some distribution centres.

District Supply Officer Anjani Kumar Singh termed the situation as "false panic" among domestic consumers and urged them to remain patient.

"Panic among domestic LPG consumers is unnecessary as the administration is committed to ensuring adequate supply as per demand," Singh told PTI.

He said that across 83 LPG distribution centres in the district, about 16,000 domestic LPG cylinders have been dispatched against an average daily demand of around 15,000.

"The domestic supply chain has not been disrupted. Consumers need not worry," he said.

On the availability of commercial cylinders, Singh said the supply would be regulated in accordance with government instructions.

He said the administration was closely monitoring the situation and strict action would be taken against hoarding or black marketing.

Meanwhile, staff at several LPG distribution centres struggled to manage the rush of consumers.

An LPG agency owner, Atul Kumar Jaiswal, told PTI that he had sufficient stock of domestic cylinders and more supply was expected, but consumers remained apprehensive.

He said tokens had to be issued to ensure orderly distribution of cylinders to consumers who had already booked them.

Jaiswal added that the next booking for a cylinder through the portal or IVRS (phone call) would be possible only 25 days after the previous delivery.

Regarding commercial LPG supply, he said that cylinders were being distributed from the available stock, and further supply would depend on fresh deliveries.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who on Tuesday reviewed the law and order and administrative preparedness ahead of the upcoming festivals, also took stock of the availability of petrol and diesel in the state.

At the meeting, he was informed that supply and distribution remained normal with no shortage reported anywhere, according to an official statement.

The chief minister directed officials of the food and civil supplies department to ensure that there was no inconvenience to the public. He also warned of strict action against hoarding or black marketing, to prevent any artificial crisis or panic situation.