No Change in LPG Refill Timelines; Govt Denies Fuel Shortage

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) — The government dismissed reports of changes to LPG refill booking timelines on Wednesday, calling the claims misleading and unfounded.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) clarified that it has not revised existing refill booking norms for LPG connections.

The ministry addressed media reports and social media posts which claimed the government had altered refill timelines to 45 days for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries, 25 days for non-PMUY single-cylinder users, and 35 days for non-PMUY double-cylinder consumers.

“We have made no such changes,” the official statement said, confirming that current timelines remain in place.

Under existing norms, consumers in urban areas can book refills after 25 days, while those in rural areas can book after 45 days, regardless of their connection type.

The government urged citizens to ignore misinformation and avoid panic-booking refills. It also assured the public that the country holds adequate LPG stocks.

Meanwhile, domestic refineries are operating at high capacity with ample crude inventories. The government noted that domestic LPG production has increased, and petrol and diesel stocks remain sufficient.

To ensure uninterrupted supplies, the government has tracked the arrival of crude oil and LPG ships from multiple countries and continues to develop contingency plans.

Additionally, state-owned Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) stated that rumours regarding fuel shortages are completely unfounded.

“The nation faces no fuel shortage. India remains a net exporter of petrol and diesel,” the company said.

The Centre has also formed seven empowered groups of officials and experts to manage the Iran war’s impact on the Indian economy, specifically focusing on oil, gas, fertilizers, supply chains, and inflation.