Bettiah: West Champaran DM Taranjot Singh on Thursday held a meeting with operators of 81 LPG agencies and field officers of oil marketing companies at the collectorate auditorium to review the availability of domestic LPG cylinders in the district.The meeting, attended by all sub-divisional officers, was convened following rumours about a shortage of domestic LPG cylinders circulating on social media.During the meeting, LPG agency operators and field officers informed the administration that there was no shortage of domestic cylinders and that supply across the district was continuing normally.Addressing the participants, Singh said rumours about LPG shortages had created unnecessary confusion among consumers.He asked agency operators to inform customers that there is no scarcity of domestic LPG so that people do not gather outside agencies unnecessarily.Officials also shared stock details during the meeting and stated that LPG agencies currently have adequate supplies. However, they said demand had increased in recent days, putting additional pressure on distribution.The DM reminded consumers that under govt guidelines, new LPG cylinder bookings can be made only after 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas.He directed LPG agencies to prominently display helpline numbers at their premises to assist consumers. Sub-divisional authorities were also instructed to ensure that 24×7 helplines remain active and widely publicised.Singh warned that black marketing of domestic LPG cylinders would not be tolerated and instructed officials to ensure that cylinders are sold strictly at govt-approved rates. He also asked sub-divisional officers to regularly monitor LPG agencies, verify stock levels and take immediate action if complaints about irregularities are received.
