Shillong, March 12: The state government has assured adequate stock of domestic cooking gas.
Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Methodius Dkhar told reporters on Thursday that the government will act against black‑market diversion.
“We have adequate stock at present and government has activated the state-level committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary to track LPG stock and distribution on a daily basis,” Dkhar said
A review meeting was held on Thursday.
“Domestic LPG supply for households remains top priority and I would like to request…that there is no cause for panic among consumers,” he said.
Priority is also being given to ensure supply to essential institutions such as hospitals, hostels, anganwadi centres, he said.
He warned hoarding or diversion would draw action under the Essential Commodities Act and urged households not to engage in panic booking.
“Strict enforcement action will be taken against diversion hoarding or black marketing of LPG cylinder under the Essential Commodities Act”, the minister said.
President of the Khasi-Pnar Gas Agency RL Blah said the 14.2 kg cylinder price is fixed at Rs 1,005 (Rs 980 + Rs 25 transport) and added Meghalaya’s domestic stock is fulfilled till March 31.
District administration responds
Later, to a query as to how a cosumer should pay additional Rs 25, Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah saud, “This is to clarify that additional Rs.25 for home delivery charges for LPG cylinders in hilly states of India are determined by local district administration based on the geographical areas . This special hill cartage had been granted by Department of Food& Civil Supply since 1984 due to the geographical features of the areas where many places not accessible by road, the delivery persons have to carry head loads for ten to fifteen minutes, and godowns are 5 to 10 kms away from showrooms, not like plain areas. Moreover, hills cartage is granted by district administrations in other hilly states in North East like Arunachal, Mizoram , Nagaland etc ,and even Himachal Pradesh”.
Blah made it clear that the consumers should not give in to the demand of the workers who carry cylinders to houses, to pay an extra amount.
Blah added that escorts are being arranged for Garo Hills tankers and that 19 kg commercial cylinders —vital for home‑stays and eateries — are being dispatched for hostels and institutions.
“Hostels and educational institutions, he added, will receive priority in the distribution of commercial cylinders. The recent surge in bookings, he said, is largely due to panic booking by consumers, which has temporarily affected digital booking platforms.
Consumers have been advised to use alternative booking options such as PhonePe and Amazon Pay until normal services resume. Blah reiterated that there is no cause for concern and that LPG supply in the state remains under control.
According to Blah, there has been an increase in the domestic LPG by Rs 60 due to war against Iran.
District administration responds
Later, to a query as how a cosumer should pay additional Rs 25,
This is to clarify that additional Rs.25/- for home delivery charges for LPG cylinders in hilly States of India are determined by Local District Administration based on the geographical areas . This special hill cartage had been granted by Department of Food& Civil Supply since 1984 due to the geographical features of the areas where many places not accessible by road head loads of ten to fifteen minutes have to be carried by delivery boys and godowns are 5 to 10 kms away from showrooms, not like plain Areas.
Moreover Hills cartage is granted by District Administrations in other hilly states in North East like Arunachal, Mizoram , Nagaland etc ,and even Himachal Pradesh.
