Supply of 19kg commercial LPG cylinders restricted

Bhopal: The major oil companies on Monday put a temporary restriction on supply of 19 Kg commercial gas cylinders across MP, perhaps anticipating an LPG crisis sooner or later if the raging US-Iran war continues. There is no formal order to this effect but the gas agencies have been informed through a message on Monday morning to discontinue supply of the blue gas cylinders for now except for hospitals and schools. Confirming the instructions received from the oil companies, an office-bearer of the MP Gas Dealers' Association said that we have been asked to discontinue supply of commercial gas cylinders to everyone but the hospitals and the schools. The oil companies have also put some temporary restrictions for domestic LPG consumers also. Till now, a consumer was allowed to get two LPG cylinders refilled the same day but now booking for the second cylinder will be accepted only after 25 days. President of Bhopal Hotels & Restaurants Association Tejkulpal Singh Pali said "No we have not been informed about any such move. He said that the oil companies raised the prices of both the domestic LPG cylinder and commercial ones by Rs 60 and Rs 115 respectively, only a couple of days ago. Then what was the need to stop supply of the cylinders.", he said. An Indian Oil Company Ltd (IOCL) executive at Indore on the condition of anonymity said "Our priority is domestic consumers of course. Supply of commercial cylinders has been curtailed but some restrictions have also been imposed on domestic consumers also so that there is no panic buying and hoarding of cylinders."