By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 1: Even as officials of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department continue to insist there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday admitted that the state is indeed facing a mild shortage for household use.
Speaking to media persons here, the Chief Minister said the state government is actively managing the situation.
“There is some shortage but not so much,” Sangma remarked, adding that the government is closely monitoring and addressing the issue to ensure minimal inconvenience to domestic consumers.
This comes days after the Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs firmly rejected reports of any domestic LPG shortage, claiming that supply remains stable with daily deliveries hovering around 7,300–7,400 cylinders — comparable to normal levels.
On the commercial LPG front, which has severely affected small eateries, hotels and businesses across the state in recent weeks, the Chief Minister acknowledged a nationwide shortage.
He informed that the Union Government has increased the supply cap for commercial cylinders from the earlier restricted 20 per cent to 70 per cent. However, the positive impact of this decision is yet to fully reach the ground.
“We expect that in the coming days the actual supply will go up and we expect some relief as well,” he said.
Sangma pointed out that nearly 90 per cent of India’s LPG supply originates from the Middle East and passes through the volatile Straits of Hormuz. He noted that the Centre is making multi-level arrangements to minimise inconvenience caused by the ongoing global supply disruptions.
When asked about the long-pending LPG bottling plant in the state, the Chief Minister gave an encouraging update, stating that the project is progressing rapidly and is now on the verge of completion. “We expect the project to be completed shortly,” he added.
Once operational, the plant is expected to significantly strengthen Meghalaya’s LPG distribution network and reduce heavy dependence on external supplies.
The development comes amid growing concern among residents and small business owners, particularly in Shillong and other urban areas, where erratic commercial cylinder availability has disrupted daily operations.
The prolonged shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has already begun affecting cafés and restaurants in Shillong. Many have been forced to curtail their menus, drop popular dishes, and in some cases contemplate partial closures or switch to costly alternatives like induction cookers and firewood. Owners have reported purchasing cylinders at premium rates up to Rs 5,000, with complaints of under-filled supplies further worsening the situation.
They have also urged the government to come forward with a transparent and consistent distribution plan, emphasising that restaurants and cafés form an integral part of the state’s tourism and service economy.
They have appealed to the government to provide a clear indication of the minimum quantity of LPG that restaurants can expect over the next fortnight or month, stating that even a basic assurance would help businesses plan their operations more effectively.
