STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has assured that there will be no scarcity of LPG cylinders in the north-eastern States during the nationwide lockdown period.
“Even though the demand for LPG cylinders across the region has shot up owing to panic buying by customers in view of the lockdown, there is adequate stock of cylinders. The customers should not go for panic buying. Unscrupulous elements might take advantage of the situation in case customers continue to go for panic buying,” an IOC official said.
The official added that domestic LPG, covered under the ‘Essential Commodities Act, 1955’, will continue to be available in the market even if there is a complete lockdown. All the 11 LPG bottling plants of IOC across the Northeast are currently operating at full capacity, following all safety protocols. These plants will continue to do so ensuring continuous supply of domestic LPG cylinders to customers.
According to the official, there will be no restriction in the movement of trucks supplying LPG cylinders from the bottling plants to the distributors. All IOC distributors are operating and ensuring delivery of LPG cylinders through their respective delivery partners. On other hand, all possible safety precautions are being taken by IOC and its channel and delivery partners. LPG business in the North East started in 1971.The region has 80 lakh plus customers.