No shortage of petrol, diesel or gas in A.P., says Minister Nadendla Manohar

Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar has assured that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or cooking gas in the State, urging the public not to panic over rumours on supply disruptions.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Mr. Manohar said the coalition government has ensured an uninterrupted supply of essential fuels across Andhra Pradesh, unlike in some other States. He emphasised that daily reviews are being conducted with the dealers and officials to monitor demand and supply.

Mr. Manohar clarified that recent panic-driven bookings of nearly 5 lakh LPG cylinders led to a temporary backlog. “However, the situation is now stabilising, with around 2.7 lakh cylinders being delivered smoothly. There is no disruption in the supply chain,” he said.

The Minister noted that, as per the Central government norms, LPG cylinders cannot be rebooked before 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas.

“Consumers are requested to use online booking systems, and 100% OTP-based delivery ensures delivery of cylinders directly to households without the need to visit gas agencies. For complaints, consumers can contact the 1967 call centre,” the Minister said.

Mr. Manohar said of the 4,510 retail fuel outlets in the State, only four reported minor supply issues due to individual dealers’ credit constraints, not because of any systemic problem.

The Minister stated that the average daily consumption stands at 7,900 kilolitres of petrol and 20,000 kilolitres of diesel, with supply currently exceeding demand by 2.4% and 8% respectively. The people are requested not to rush for full tank refills as sufficient reserves are available, he said.

Highlighting steps to improve availability, Mr. Manohar said the Central government has increased the quota of non-domestic (commercial) LPG cylinders from 10% to 70%, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and hospitals.

Checking blackmarketing

He revealed that 146 cases have been registered against agencies involved in black marketing and illegal hoarding and 4,285 cylinders have been seized.

The State government is maintaining constant coordination with oil companies and dealer associations to ensure seamless supply.  Data monitoring is being carried out twice daily to assess the situation real time.

Shifting to PNG

Steps are being taken to expand the piped natural gas (PNG) supply in eligible areas. The government aims to shift one lakh consumers to PNG within three months and ultimately target 10 lakh users.

Consumers, especially in areas with pipeline access, are being encouraged to switch over from LPG to natural gas, he said.

 Referring to global uncertainties, including tensions in the Gulf region, Manohar said the government is taking precautionary measures to avoid any impact on supplies.

Awareness campaigns will be held among beneficiaries on the Deepam scheme to promote the use of piped natural gas. He cautioned the public against believing misinformation spread on social media. 

He also said that gas distribution networks are being expanded through various agencies and that the Central government has approved the rollout of piped natural gas infrastructure in the State.