No need for panic booking LPG cylinder delivery exempted from lockdown

   Photo: livemint

• The government has assured that the supply of LPG cylinders will not be hit by the lockdown

NEW DELHI : Oil marketing companies have assured their customers that the supply of LPG cylinders would be normal during the 21-day national lockdown period and customers do not need to resort to panic booking. "We are taking all necessary precautions while making sure smooth supply of #Indane LPG cylinders. Delivery of cylinder is on as per usual orders," Indian Oil Corp (IOC) said on Twitter.

Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) said its LPG distributorships are open and plants are working round the clock to ensure smooth supplies of LPG cylinders. "We will deliver LPG Cylinders at doorstep to help you during this time of crisis," BPCL said asking consumers to not make any panic bookings.

The ministry of home affairs has issued a set of guidelines which clearly mention that LPG retail and storage outlets are exempted from the lockdown. Revised guidelines issued yesterday allows LPG cylinders movement even as all transport services are banned.

Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan yesterday took stock of LPG operations in the country to ensure its uninterrupted supply.

In Chandigarh, the administration has asked people to not venture out of their houses to visit gas agencies for booking LPG cylinders. People have been asked to place order over phone for delivery of LPG cylinder at their doorstep.

LPG cylinder prices are revised at the beginning of every month. If the last 5 months are taken into account, LPG price has been hiked by ₹35.5 a cylinder. In Delhi, a 14.2 kg non-subsidised LPG cylinder costs ₹805, down from ₹858 in the previous month. A cylinder in Kolkata costs ₹839, in Mumbai ₹776.5 and in Chennai ₹826.

As per government policy, LPG all over the country is available only at market price. However, households are entitled to buying 12 cylinders of 14.2-kg each at a subsidised rate in a year. The government transfers the subsidy amount directly into the bank accounts which the beneficiaries use to buy LPG at the market price.