No address proof needed for 5 kg LPG cylinders; over 5.7 lakh sold since March 23

Amid efforts to stabilise fuel availability during the ongoing supply disruption, the Centre on Saturday said consumers can purchase 5-kg LPG cylinders without furnishing address proof, with any valid identity document deemed sufficient.

The move is aimed at easing access to smaller cylinders—particularly for transient populations and those without formal residential documentation—as the government ramps up distribution to bridge supply gaps.

Officials said more than 71,000 5 kg free trade LPG (FTL) cylinders were sold on Friday alone, taking the cumulative sales to around 5.7 lakh units since March 23. These cylinders are being made available through nearby LPG distributorships across the country.

To manage constrained supplies, the government has capped overall commercial LPG allocation at 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels, including a 10 per cent component linked to reform-based criteria.

A three-member committee comprising executive directors of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited has been tasked with coordinating state-wise distribution plans in consultation with local authorities and industry bodies.

Since March 14, a total of 72,047 metric tonnes of commercial LPG has been supplied, officials said, indicating a steady scale-up in distribution even as demand pressures persist.

The latest measures underscore the government’s attempt to balance immediate consumer access with the needs of critical industries, as authorities navigate a tight supply environment triggered by external disruptions.