JAIPUR: Hotels, restaurants, dhabas and roadside food vendors across Rajasthan are faced with a sudden shortage of LPG cylinders after oil marketing companies (OMCs) directed distributors to halt fresh bookings for commercial use.The move, communicated through internal advisories Sunday evening, aims to divert limited supplies to domestic households amid tightening availability. “Distributors are instructed not to place new indents or orders for commercial cylinders starting Monday,” Deepak Gehlot, president of LPG Distribution Federation of Rajasthan, said. Domestic consumers, meanwhile, are also facing difficulties in getting refills of cooking gas.
“We are currently out of stock. Supplies may resume in three to four days; until then, even domestic consumers will have to wait,” said a Jaipur-based distributor. The restrictions come against the backdrop of global energy market disruptions triggered by the Iran conflict.Restrictions amid global energy market disruptionsThe restrictions come against the backdrop of global energy market disruptions triggered by the Iran conflict, which strained supply chains and pushed up prices. Industry representatives said the decision to halt fresh LPG bookings for commercial use will hit a wide spectrum of non-domestic users – including hotels, caterers, eateries and roadside vendors – who rely heavily on LPG for daily operations. With the wedding season in full swing and tourist inflows peaking on weekends, hoteliers said the prospect of not having cooking gas sounds scary. “The curbs will make it impossible to meet the basic needs of our guests. We plan to approach the chief minister Tuesday to seek relief,” said Ranvijay Singh, secretary of the Federation of Rajasthan Hotels. Officials familiar with the development said the govt’s immediate priority is to safeguard household supplies. “OMCs conveyed that commercial indents or orders should be suspended so domestic demand can be fully met,” a source said. Late last Friday, OMCs imposed new restrictions on LPG refill bookings. Under the revised rules, customers cannot book a refill until 25 days after their last cylinder order. The effect of these measures left commercial consumers anxious. Households are also uncertain, with many looking to use induction stoves instead of gas burners.
