State officials in Gujarat are taking a hard stance against black marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders. They’re warning that anyone caught engaging in these practices will face serious legal consequences. The Deputy Controller of Food and Civil Supplies for Ahmedabad made it clear: unauthorized storage or misuse of domestic cylinders is a major offense.
According to officials, selling LPG cylinders above the government-mandated price breaches the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, along with the LPG Regulation Order from 2000. In response, the state has empowered designated officers to pursue legal action—including potential criminal prosecution—against offenders.
Despite recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the Gujarat government assures residents that sufficient supplies are available to meet demand. To prevent misuse, public sector Oil Marketing Companies have implemented a new rule requiring a mandatory 25-day waiting period between bookings for each consumer.
Interestingly, about 30% of gas needs in Gujarat are met through Piped Natural Gas (PNG), which remains stable and unaffected by current market conditions. While there’s been a clampdown on commercial LPG sales, hospitals and educational institutions still enjoy exemptions.