Bihar Chief Secretary Directs Strict Action Against LPG Black Marketing
In a decisive move to safeguard consumer interests, Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit has issued stringent directives to district magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs) to clamp down on black marketing, illegal storage, and unauthorized commercial use of domestic LPG cylinders. The instructions were delivered during a high-level meeting convened on Monday to review the state's LPG situation.
Comprehensive Enforcement Measures Announced
Amrit emphasized the need for rigorous inspections of gas agencies, warehouses, and distribution networks across all districts. He mandated immediate legal action against any individuals or agencies found violating regulations. To enhance oversight, special control rooms will be established in every district to ensure prompt resolution of consumer complaints and streamline monitoring efforts.
Ensuring Public Awareness and Transparency
To combat misinformation and prevent panic, the Chief Secretary ordered all district official social media pages to be regularly updated with accurate information. Additionally, daily press conferences will be held at 3 PM in each district, led by the district public relations officer (DPRO) and ADM (supply), to keep the public informed about the latest developments and provide essential reports.
Fuel Supply Remains Uninterrupted
Officials confirmed that there is no shortage of domestic LPG, piped natural gas, petrol, or diesel in Bihar, with supplies continuing without disruption. Data presented at the meeting revealed that 98.5% of the state's total gas supply comprises domestic cylinders, which are being distributed smoothly. As a precautionary measure, commercial gas supply has been restricted, although hospitals and educational institutions are fully exempted to ensure their uninterrupted operations.
Industry Assurance and Public Appeal
Representatives from major oil and gas companies, including Indian Oil Corporation executive director for Bihar and Jharkhand, Anoop Kumar Samantaray, attended the meeting in person, while all DMs and SPs participated via video conferencing. They assured the government that adequate stocks of fuel and gas are available statewide. The public has been urged to disregard misleading information and avoid panic stockpiling of gas or fuel.
