SHILLONG: Amidst growing concerns and rumors regarding a potential LPG crisis in the state, the Government of Meghalaya clarified today that there is no shortage of cooking gas. The state government has assured citizens that adequate stocks are available to meet household demands and urged the public to refrain from “panic booking.”
The Minister in charge of Food & Civil Supplies, Methodius Dkhar, chaired a high-level review meeting today with Deputy Commissioners (DCs), department officials, and representatives from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), including IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL. The meeting was convened to assess the current supply chain and distribution across the state.
Following the review, the Minister confirmed that Meghalaya’s domestic LPG stock is sufficient to meet requirements until March 31 ,2026. To ensure smooth distribution, a state-level monitoring mechanism has been activated under the Chief Secretary, while district-level committees under the DCs will track stocks on a daily basis.
Addressing the root cause of the recent supply fluctuations, Bah Dkhar explained that the issue is a “pan-India” matter linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“Approximately 80% of India’s LPG is imported. The temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted the movement of gas tankers globally,” the Minister stated.
However, he shared positive news, noting that the maritime route has reopened and approximately 90 LPG tankers have resumed transit, which is expected to normalize the supply within a few days.
To curb the recent surge in panic bookings, the government has temporarily adjusted the booking cycle.
25-Day Gap: Residents can now only rebook a new cylinder 25 days after receiving their previous one, an increase from the standard 21-day period.
Pricing: The price of domestic LPG was revised on March 7, increasing from ₹920 to ₹980.
Special Hill Assistance: The total amount payable by consumers in Meghalaya is ₹1,005. The additional ₹25 is a built-in “Special Hill Assistance” charge standard for hilly terrains like Meghalaya and Nagaland.
The Minister explicitly clarified that this ₹25 is already included in the official price and should not be paid as an extra fee to delivery personnel at the doorstep.
Due to the heavy volume of simultaneous bookings, automated systems like IVRS and missed-call services have experienced technical glitches. The government has advised consumers to use digital platforms such as PhonePe or other mobile apps to complete their bookings.
The state government has issued a stern warning against illegal activities. Strict enforcement action will be taken under the Essential Commodities Act against any individuals or distributors found indulging in black marketing, hoarding, or the unauthorized diversion of cylinders.
