Lahaul–Spiti Regulates Distribution of Commercial LPG Cylinders to Prevent Hoarding. 

Shimla:

The district administration of Lahaul and Spiti has issued new regulations to ensure the systematic and fair distribution of commercial LPG cylinders across the district. The order was issued by Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority Kiran Bhadana.

According to the official order, the decision has been taken in compliance with guidelines issued by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Himachal Pradesh. The measures are aimed at managing the limited supply of commercial LPG cylinders, ensuring the continuity of essential services, preventing hoarding, and maintaining equitable distribution among consumers.

Priority-Based Allocation

Under the new arrangement, the distribution of commercial LPG cylinders will follow a strict priority system.

• First Priority: Educational institutions and hospitals will receive up to 100 percent of their required supply. This category has been allocated 37 percent of the total LPG distribution.
• Second Priority: Hotels, restaurants, and roadside eateries (dhabas) will receive 36 percent of the allocation.
• Third, Fourth, and Fifth Priority: Social events and functions, pharmaceutical industries, and government/public sector units, corporate and industrial establishments, guest houses, and canteens will each receive 9 percent of the total allocation.

Supply Limits and Distribution Rules

The order specifies that the supply of commercial LPG will be limited to a maximum of 20 percent of the average daily consumption of consumers. Cylinders will only be distributed in the 19 kg, 47.5 kg, and 425 kg categories, and supply will be provided strictly against confirmed consumer bookings.

To prevent hoarding, consumers will receive LPG cylinders based on their average consumption over the previous three months. The administration has also directed that pending bookings be cleared following the “First-In-First-Out” (FIFO) system.

No consumer will be allowed to receive supplies beyond the prescribed limits, and the online booking systems of oil marketing companies must be strictly followed.

Monitoring and Enforcement

To ensure compliance, joint inspection teams comprising officials from the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, oil marketing companies, and the Himachal Pradesh Police will conduct regular inspections and enforcement drives across the district.

These teams will monitor and take action against practices such as hoarding, black marketing, illegal storage, manipulation in supply, and underweight cylinders.

Authorities have warned that any violation of the order will invite strict legal action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Essential Commodities Act, 1955, relevant provisions of the Indian penal laws, and the LPG (Supply and Distribution Regulation) Order.

Push for Alternative Fuel Options

The district administration has also advised institutions and commercial establishments to reduce dependence on LPG by adopting alternative cooking technologies. These include electric induction cooking systems, steam-based cooking technologies, and piped natural gas where available.

Officials stated that the district administration will maintain daily monitoring and reporting of LPG availability to ensure transparency and prevent shortages. Citizens have also been urged to avoid unnecessary bookings and refrain from hoarding.

The order has come into immediate effect and will remain in force until further instructions from the administration.