'Adequate stock available': Govt issues clarification on LPG refill booking timeline amid confusion

The government on Wednesday dismissed reports suggesting a change in LPG refill booking timelines, stating that the information being shared is incorrect and misleading. The Centre reaffirmed that the existing timelines “remain unchanged and continue to” function under the current time limit.The ministry of petroleum & natural gas clarified that reports circulating on social media claiming changes to LPG refill booking timelines are false, stating that the suggested revised intervals: 45 days for PMUY connections, 25 days for single non-PMUY connections and 35 days for double cylinder non-PMUY connections, have no basis. It further added that the country has adequate LPG supplies and assured citizens that there is no need to panic. The ministry stated that "no such changes have been made. The existing refill booking timelines remain unchanged and continue to be under the existing system."Presently, LPG refill bookings follow a uniform structure:It also urged citizens not to believe or “circulate such misinformation” and to avoid unnecessary or panic-driven LPG refill bookings."It is reiterated that adequate LPG stocks are available in the country, and there is no cause for concern," the ministry added.Meanwhile, Indian Oil Corp Ltd has also soothed concerns about the timeline change reports. The oil firm stated that "reports claiming changes in LPG refill booking timelines are incorrect. There is no change in the existing timelines (25 days in urban areas / 45 days in rural areas), and LPG supplies remain adequate across the country. Please rely only on official sources and avoid panic."In its statement, the ministry also cautioned the public against spreading or believing such misinformation. It also advised consumers to refrain from unnecessary or panic-driven refill bookings, reiterating that LPG stocks remain sufficient across the country and there is no cause for concern.As ongoing tensions in the Middle East region stretch through their fourth week, concerns are rising over fuel supply and prices in the country. Earlier, this week, Sujata Sharma, joint secretary, ministry of petroleum and natural gas said that the country continues to have adequate reserves of petroleum products. She noted that refineries are functioning at high operational levels with sufficient crude inventories.“All the refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories. We have sufficient stock of petrol and diesel. The domestic production of LPG has been stepped up in the refineries,” she said.Sharma acknowledged that isolated instances of misinformation had led to confusion in certain areas, resulting in panic buying. She said such rumours had come to the notice of the ministry and were promptly addressed.She further added that around 7,500 domestic and commercial PNG connections were provided in a single day across 110 geographical areas. Highlighting potential reach, she noted that about “60 lakh such households where PNG connection can be provided” have been identified and encouraged eligible users to adopt PNG connections at the earliest.