In a move aimed at curbing black marketing and ensuring fair distribution, the Odisha government has barred the sale of LPG cylinders in the open market, making it mandatory for consumers to complete e-KYC to procure cooking gas from authorised dealers.

Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra announced the decision on Sunday, asserting that the state has taken proactive steps to prevent unauthorised sales at inflated prices amid complaints of an alleged shortage of LPG cylinders.

e-KYC Mandatory For LPG Access

Under the new guidelines, only customers who have completed their electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification will be eligible to receive LPG cylinders through authorised distribution channels. The move is intended to plug leakages in the supply chain and ensure that subsidised domestic cylinders reach genuine consumers.

The minister clarified that there is no disruption in the supply of cooking gas across the state. According to official timelines, LPG cylinders are now being delivered within 25 days of booking in urban areas and within 45 days in rural regions.

The government has also imposed a ban on the sale of smaller 5 kg cylinders in the open market, a segment often flagged for misuse and diversion.

Crackdown On Black Marketing Intensifies

The decision follows rising complaints of black marketing, with reports suggesting that LPG cylinders were being sold illegally at exorbitant rates outside authorised networks. Officials believe that restricting open market sales will significantly reduce such practices.

Enforcement efforts have already intensified on the ground. In a recent कार्रवाई, authorities seized 27 LPG cylinders in Dhenkanal town on Sunday in connection with illegal trading activities.

Govt Assures Supply Stability

Despite concerns raised by consumers over availability, the state government has reiterated that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders. Officials maintain that the supply chain remains intact and that the new measures are purely aimed at regulating distribution and preventing misuse.

The latest directive signals a stricter regulatory approach by the Odisha government, balancing consumer access with tighter oversight to eliminate malpractice in the LPG distribution system.

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