Madhya Pradesh Government Convenes Emergency Meeting to Tackle LPG Distribution Issues
In response to growing public concern over long queues outside gas agencies across the state, the Madhya Pradesh government has clarified that the disruption stems from a technical fault in the online portal designed for cylinder booking, not from any actual shortage of LPG supplies. The first meeting of a newly formed cabinet committee, established to review the impact of geopolitical developments in West Asia and Middle Eastern countries on the state's LPG situation, was held on Friday.
High-Level Review and Immediate Instructions
Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, alongside Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Govind Singh Rajput, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Chetanya Kumar Kashyap, conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing crisis. The committee focused on devising strategies to guarantee the timely availability of gas cylinders for domestic consumers and to uphold a seamless distribution system through authorized agencies.
Deputy CM Devda issued clear directives to officials, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring a regular supply of LPG gas across all districts to prevent any inconvenience to consumers. He specifically highlighted the importance of paying special attention to LPG availability in both urban and rural areas, urging coordination with gas companies to strengthen the supply chain and maintain uninterrupted LPG distribution throughout Madhya Pradesh.
Government Assurances on Petroleum Product Availability
Food Minister Rajput provided reassurances, stating that petroleum products are present in sufficient quantities within the state. He detailed that petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), crude oil, and domestic gas are all adequately stocked, with supplies continuing on a regular basis. Rajput further noted that continuous action is being enforced under the Essential Commodities Act to monitor and regulate the situation.
Minister Kashyap identified the root cause of the problem, attributing it to a technical fault in the cylinder booking portal. He directed officials to promptly resolve the issue and recommended that offline booking options be made available at agencies as needed to alleviate public distress.
Officials Provide Detailed Updates on Supply Chain
Additional Chief Secretary of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, Rashmi Arun Shami, presented information regarding the current availability of petroleum products. She also discussed the efforts underway to facilitate the return of the state's migrants from Gulf countries, acknowledging the broader geopolitical context affecting the region.
State Nodal Officer of oil companies, Ajay Shrivastava, confirmed that an adequate stock of gas cylinders is maintained at bottling plants and distributors' warehouses, reinforcing the government's stance that there is no shortage. The meeting concluded with a commitment to swift corrective measures, including portal repairs and enhanced offline booking facilities, to restore normalcy in LPG distribution and address the technical glitches that led to the queues.
