By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 30: Meghalaya is facing a shortage of commercial LPG, but domestic supply remains stable, the Director of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, Saloni Verma, said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Verma acknowledged the constraints in commercial LPG availability and urged consumers to report any cases of overcharging with specific details. She said that such complaints would be promptly investigated and acted upon.
She clarified that the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has not been affected by the current situation, adding that the scheme has played a key role in expanding access to clean cooking fuel across the state. The present issue, she noted, is limited to refill availability amid the ongoing supply crisis.
According to the revised guidelines, consumers can now avail LPG refills after a minimum of 45 days. To address public grievances, the department has activated a toll-free helpline (1967) and a WhatsApp number (9402327737).
Tracing the cause of the shortage, she said the Centre capped commercial LPG supply from March 11 following disruptions in imports linked to tensions in the Middle East. Meghalaya, which has a daily requirement of about 1,000 commercial cylinders, received only 20% of its allocation—about 200 cylinders—leading to supply pressure.
Priority, she said, was given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions, further tightening availability for the hospitality sector.
Informing reporters that the situation has begun to ease, Verma said that the Centre has now increased the allocation to 70% of the normal quota, with daily supply improving to around 300-400 cylinders in recent days.
On the domestic front, she maintained that supply has remained largely consistent. Against a daily requirement of 6,000-7,000 cylinders, the state is receiving between 5,000 and 7,000 cylinders, indicating no major disruption.
Addressing concerns over long queues at LPG outlets, Verma attributed them to the ongoing mandatory eKYC verification process aimed at curbing misuse and ensuring transparency. She emphasised that the queues are not a result of any shortage in domestic LPG.
The director also dismissed concerns of widespread black marketing, stating that such instances are negligible due to strict enforcement and monitoring. She said both state-level and district-level LPG monitoring committees are actively reviewing the situation and coordinating with oil marketing companies to ensure smooth distribution.
While acknowledging that the situation remains challenging, Verma appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation, assuring that the government is continuously working to stabilise supply and minimise inconvenience.
