Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Monday said the central government has directed oil marketing companies (OMCs) to implement a 25-day LPG refill booking interval uniformly across urban and rural areas with immediate effect.Gopi, Union Minister of state for petroleum and natural gas and tourism, said the government had earlier prescribed a 25-day booking interval in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas as a temporary demand-management measure amid supply concerns.The petroleum ministry, in a letter dated September 7 addressed to the chairmen and managing directors of IOCL, BPCL and HPCL, said the decision was taken in view of the improved LPG supply position and a considerable reduction in refill backlogs compared with the situation when the demand-management measures were introduced.“In view of the present LPG supply position and the considerable reduction in refill backlogs as compared to the situation prevailing at the time of introduction of the demand-management measures, the Ministry has decided to revise the existing refill booking interval and prescribe an inter-refill booking gap of 25 days uniformly for all Domestic LPG consumers, including those in rural areas.” the letter said, as shared by the MoS on Facebook.“Accordingly, the OMCs are advised to take necessary action for implementation of the revised inter-refill booking interval of 25 days uniformly across urban and rural areas, with immediate effect,” it further directed.The earlier refill restrictions were introduced in March as a temporary measure to manage LPG demand amid supply pressures triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.
