New Delhi: Delhi govt said on Friday that it has implemented a multi-tiered strategy in coordination with the Centre for policy intervention, to ease pressure on LPG supplies.Additional commissioner Arun Kumar Jha said Delhi has around 56 lakh domestic LPG connections, and residents are being urged to ensure that their connections are registered under the correct name to prevent misuse and diversion. Jha also said that govt is pushing for the expansion of piped natural gas (PNG).“Wherever PNG connections are available, residents should shift from LPG to PNG,” he said, adding that the pipeline network has now reached “every village”.A control room has been set up to monitor the situation and record complaints and inputs. The announcement came at a press conference by the department of food, supplies and consumer affairs.Govt had earlier urged people to report suspicious activities through the helpline numbers 011-23379836 and 8383824659 between 9 am and 7 pm every day. It promised that verified complaints will be tackled promptly.On the enforcement front, a crackdown is under way. On Thursday, at least 100 LPG cylinders were seized from Alipur and Bawana, officials said.Authorities said that action is being taken at three levels. “The intelligence department is also working on this,” an official said.So far, 27 cases have been registered in connection with hoarding and illegal diversion, though no gas agency or distributor has been charged yet, joint CP (transport) Milind Mahadeo Dumbere said.Demand has also seen a surge, with LPG bookings rising to up to 2 lakh per day. On April 1, bookings stood at 1.11 lakh, lower than the usual average of 1.60 lakh. Officials said queues have been reported in some areas due to a backlog.As a relief measure, migrant labourers can obtain 5 kg cylinders without a regular LPG connection by showing valid identity proof, officials said.Officials said that before the crisis, around 600 connections were added every day. That figure is over 1500 now.Govt’s food, supplies and consumer affairs department has amended clauses in its policy for the distribution of commercial LPG cylinders in Delhi.According to an order dated April 2, deliveries to commercial and industrial LPG consumers against any allocation after the order will be permitted only under specified conditions. Consumers must be registered with the oil marketing company (OMC). In addition, they must have applied for a PNG connection with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and completed necessary formalities in areas where the PNG network is available.In locations where PNG coverage is not available, an application indicating intent to obtain a PNG connection once the network becomes available will suffice.Further, if a consumer requires an LPG connection alongside PNG for specific needs, an application must be submitted to the additional commissioner of the food and supplies department for a decision.
