Guwahati, March 12: Assam Police on March 12 warned that strict legal action will be taken against individuals spreading rumours about shortages of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and other petroleum products in the state.
In a post on X, the police said anyone attempting to circulate misleading information regarding shortages of LPG, petrol, diesel and other fuels would face serious legal consequences. The force also urged citizens not to believe or forward such claims, cautioning that “inimical elements” may attempt to spread misinformation to create panic among the public.
The warning came a day after Ravi Kota said that local refineries currently have the capacity to meet only around 30 per cent of Assam’s LPG demand, raising concerns about a potential supply gap in the coming days.
To prevent panic and curb misinformation, the state government has set up a dedicated media monitoring committee to track rumours, misleading reports and false claims that could create confusion among consumers.
Kota said the government has requested all four refineries operating in Assam to increase production to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply. He, along with Harmeet Singh, officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department and representatives of oil marketing companies, also participated in a video conference with Govind Mohan. The meeting involved chief secretaries and directors general of police from various states and Union territories to review the availability of LPG and diesel across the country.
During the meeting, the State Level Coordinator of Indian Oil Corporation reviewed the LPG supply situation and stated that the overall position in Assam remains comfortable, with adequate stock currently available.
Assam has four refineries, including three operated by Indian Oil Corporation at Digboi, Guwahati and Bongaigaon, and another run by Numaligarh Refinery Limited at Numaligarh.
Official data shows that the Northeast India requires around 1.91 lakh domestic LPG cylinders of 14.2 kg every day, of which approximately 1.34 lakh cylinders are consumed in Assam alone.
In the commercial segment of 19 kg cylinders, the region requires about 5,777 units daily, including nearly 4,112 units in Assam.
Authorities reiterated that there is no immediate cause for concern and urged the public to rely only on official information regarding fuel availability.
