Itanagar, March 14: Arunachal Pradesh Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Gabriel Denang Wangsu on March 13 assured that the availability of LPG cylinders and petroleum products in the state remains stable and urged residents not to engage in panic buying that could disrupt normal supply.
After reviewing the situation with senior officials, the minister said the state government is closely monitoring the distribution of LPG and petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) products across all districts to ensure uninterrupted supply. He said the review meeting was attended by the chief secretary, officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, representatives of oil marketing companies and deputy commissioners from various districts.
In a post on X, Wangsu said both the government and oil companies have confirmed that the supply chain is functioning normally. He stated that the Food and Civil Supplies Department and oil marketing companies have assured that LPG and POL supplies are operating smoothly and are being continuously monitored to maintain consistent availability.
The minister appealed to residents to purchase fuel only as required for normal consumption and avoid panic buying, warning that such behaviour could create artificial shortages in the market. To prevent hoarding and ensure fair distribution, the government has introduced a waiting period between LPG bookings.
According to Wangsu, a mandatory gap of 25 days between LPG refill bookings has been implemented as a precautionary measure. He also cautioned that strict action would be taken against individuals found hoarding cylinders or engaging in black marketing.
Those responsible for creating artificial scarcity may face legal action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and other relevant regulations, he added.
The minister further urged citizens not to circulate rumours or unverified information on social media that could trigger unnecessary panic among consumers.
His statement comes amid concerns in parts of the country over rising LPG prices and supply pressures, which have caused anxiety among consumers and occasional panic buying in some areas. The recent increase in domestic LPG prices has also added to the financial strain on households already dealing with inflation, making cooking gas affordability a growing concern in several states.
