The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has asked all State and Union Territory governments to intensify proactive public communication and daily press briefings to counter widespread rumours and misinformation about LPG availability.
In a letter dated April 2, 2026, Petroleum Secretary Dr Neeraj Mittal highlighted that, despite earlier advisories, rumours continue to circulate in several areas, leading to avoidable public concern and instances of panic buying. He noted that, as per inputs from State-level Coordinators of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), only 17 States/UTs are currently conducting regular or intermittent press briefings or issuing press releases.
The letter, addressed to all State/UT Chief Secretaries, refers to a previous communication dated March 27, 2026, and stresses the need for senior-level daily briefings combined with the timely dissemination of accurate information through social and electronic media. The goal is to reassure citizens about adequate availability and smooth distribution of LPG and other petroleum products while effectively countering misinformation.
Dr Mittal also urged States/UTs to continue taking necessary action against malpractices such as hoarding and black marketing. He solicited the “personal intervention” of the Chief Secretaries in the matter.
The list of the 17 States/UTs currently conducting press briefings includes: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Background Context
This fresh directive comes amid ongoing supply disruptions in LPG triggered by geopolitical developments in West Asia, which have affected global supply chains. The government has already taken steps such as increasing commercial LPG allocations and promoting a shift towards piped natural gas (PNG) in the long term.
Officials have repeatedly assured that domestic supplies remain adequate and there is no nationwide shortage, but social media rumours have continued to trigger localised panic and unnecessary hoarding in some regions.
The Ministry emphasised that proactive, transparent communication at the state level is critical to restore public confidence and ensure normal consumption patterns.
