Lahaul-Spiti (Himachal Pradesh): Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Kiran Bhadana, has issued an important office order to ensure systematic and equitable distribution of commercial LPG cylinders across the district.
The order has been implemented in compliance with guidelines issued by the Himachal Pradesh Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, keeping in view the current supply limitations. The objective is to maintain continuity of essential services, prevent hoarding, and ensure fair allocation of available resources.
According to the order, commercial LPG cylinder distribution will now follow a priority-based system. Educational institutions and hospitals have been placed in the first priority category and will receive up to 100 percent supply based on requirement, with 37 percent of the total allocation reserved for them.
Hotels, restaurants, and dhabas fall under the second priority category and have been allotted 36 percent of the total supply. Social events and functions, pharmaceutical industries, and government/public sector units, corporate and industrial establishments, guest houses, and canteens have been placed in the third, fourth, and fifth priority categories respectively, each receiving 9 percent allocation.
The administration has clarified that commercial LPG supply will be limited to a maximum of 20 percent of the average daily consumption. Distribution will be restricted to cylinders of 19 kg, 47.5 kg, and 425 kg capacities and will be carried out strictly based on consumer bookings.
To curb hoarding, cylinders will be supplied according to the average consumption recorded over the previous three months. Pending bookings will be cleared strictly under the “First-In-First-Out” (FIFO) system. No consumer will be allowed to receive supplies beyond the prescribed limits, and compliance with oil marketing companies’ online booking systems has been made mandatory.
For monitoring and enforcement, joint teams comprising officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department, oil marketing companies, and Himachal Pradesh Police will conduct regular inspections and surprise raids. These checks aim to prevent hoarding, black marketing, illegal storage, supply manipulation, and underweight distribution.
Authorities warned that violations will invite strict action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and LPG Supply and Distribution regulations.
Institutions have also been advised to reduce dependence on LPG by adopting alternative fuel technologies such as electric induction cooking, steam-based cooking systems, and piped natural gas wherever feasible.
The district administration will ensure daily monitoring and reporting of LPG availability and has urged citizens to avoid unnecessary bookings and hoarding. The order has come into immediate effect and will remain valid until further instructions.
