Chandigarh, The Federation of LPG Distributors of Punjab (FLDP) expressed their concern while highlighting the ground realities of the emerging LPG supply crisis in the region amid escalating tensions in West Asia during a press conference held at Chandigarh Press Club on Tuesday. The Federation expressed serious concern over the growing mismatch between official assurances of adequate LPG availability and the actual situation being faced by distributors and consumers on the ground.
Gurpal Singh Mann, President, FLDP stated that recent geo-political escalation resulting in disruptions of critical supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, have led Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to implement a sudden and steep increase in LPG prices, raising domestic cylinder rates by ₹60 and commercial cylinders by ₹115. This abrupt decision, taken without adequate groundwork or communication has triggered panic among consumers and created apprehensions about a potential supply shortage.
The Federation further noted that instead of easing the situation, subsequent policy decisions have added to confusion and anxiety. The imposition of restrictive booking intervals which is once every 25 days for urban consumers and once every 45 days for rural consumers, along with the temporary suspension of booking channels for three to four days has resulted in a surge of pending bookings. Distributors are now facing increased public pressure without sufficient clarity or support while supply from bottling plants continues to fall short of meeting existing demand.
Federation emphasized that despite official statements suggesting adequate supply, distributors across the state are grappling with mounting backlogs and inconsistent deliveries, eroding public trust. It also highlighted that restrictive policies, sudden price hikes and system disruptions have collectively fuelled panic among consumers.Additionally, it underlined a complete disconnect between policymakers and ground-level stakeholders, as distributors are neither consulted nor involved in decision-making and there is no visible mechanism to capture real-time consumer feedback.
The Federation also raised serious concerns regarding the increasing pressure and risk faced by distributors and their staff due to rising public frustration over issues beyond their control.
In view of the prevailing situation, FLDP urged immediate and constructive intervention. The Federation emphasized the need for transparent and consistent communication with both distributors and the public. It called for rationalization of booking restrictions to remove confusion and avoid discrimination. FLDP also stressed the importance of increasing supply allocation and ensuring bottling plants operate at full capacity. It further recommended the implementation of 100% Direct Account Credit (DAC) to prevent diversion and ensure fair distribution
