The Jharkhand government has expressed serious concern over the emerging disruption in LPG supply across the state, warning that the shortage could affect both households and commercial establishments if the situation persists.
Speaking in the state assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radha Krishna Kishore said the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been impacted due to evolving international circumstances, the effects of which are now being felt in Jharkhand as well.
The minister informed the House that the delivery of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders has been affected, forcing authorities to revise the refill booking cycle.
Under the new arrangement, the booking interval for urban consumers has been extended from 15 days to 25 days, while rural consumers will now have to wait up to 45 days to book refills.
Kishore noted that earlier LPG cylinders were typically delivered within 48 hours of booking. However, the waiting period has now stretched to three to four days due to supply constraints.
As of March 16, a total of 3,27,630 LPG refills supplied by Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum remain pending in the state.
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The minister further revealed that during a video conference with the Centre on March 13, it was indicated that the supply of commercial LPG cylinders had been reduced from 80 per cent to 20 per cent.
In a subsequent meeting held on March 14 between the state government and oil companies, officials noted that Jharkhand requires an average of 2,273.11 metric tonnes of commercial LPG every month.
However, the current supply is expected to be limited to just 454.6 metric tonnes, potentially leading to a monthly shortfall of 1,818.51 metric tonnes.
Kishore warned that the shortage could have far-reaching implications for industrial hubs such as Ranchi and Jamshedpur, where several large industries operate. Many industrial canteens rely on LPG cylinders to prepare meals for thousands of workers.
Disruptions in supply could therefore impact daily operations, productivity and worker welfare. Hotels, restaurants and other commercial establishments may also face operational challenges if the shortage continues.
He attributed the situation to global geopolitical tensions and volatility in international energy markets, stating that such developments are now affecting energy availability in India and Jharkhand.
The minister urged the central government to present a clear strategy to address the issue and ensure adequate LPG supply.
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