Bhubaneswar, April 4: In an effort to curb black marketing of cooking gas, the state government has introduced strict regulations on the sale and distribution of LPG. Gas will no longer be available freely in the open market, and the refilling of 5 kg cylinders has been completely discontinued.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced the move, citing disruptions in supply due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The situation has driven up open-market LPG prices, making it difficult for ordinary consumers to access gas at affordable rates.
As part of the new measures, the government has banned open-market sales of LPG and stopped refilling smaller 5 kg cylinders. To enhance transparency and prevent misuse, E-KYC will now be mandatory for all LPG transactions.
Only consumers with LPG connections registered in their own name will be allowed to purchase cylinders from authorised distributors. Despite these restrictions, the minister assured that there is no shortage of LPG or petrol in the state and dismissed concerns about any active black market. He emphasised that domestic LPG supplies remain stable, with sufficient stock to meet household demand.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring that subsidised LPG reaches genuine beneficiaries, particularly in the wake of global supply chain disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Additionally, the government is fast-tracking the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) networks in major cities to reduce long-term reliance on LPG cylinders.
