LPG shortage triggers panic buying; groceries’ prices rise

A sharp rise in prices of essential commodities and a perceived shortage of cooking gas have caused concern among residents, with long queues being witnessed outside gas agencies across the region.

Along with the rush for gas cylinders, prices of several daily-use items including food products, plastic goods and grocery items have increased significantly, making life difficult for the common people. Edible oils such as refined oil and mustard oil have recorded an increase of nearly 10 per cent.

Plastic carry bags have become costlier by Rs 50 to Rs 100 per kilogram, while disposable items have witnessed a price rise of nearly 30 per cent. Similarly, the price of a crate of packaged drinking water has gone up by Rs 25 and that of soft drinks by Rs 50.

People engaged in the food business, who rely heavily on LPG cylinders for cooking, have started shifting to diesel-fired furnaces due to the shortage. However, with a sudden spike in demand, even these furnaces have become difficult to procure. Many people are now attempting to use induction cooktops, while some have begun searching for traditional kerosene stoves as an alternative.

Officials of a leading gas company said the panic among consumers has disrupted the online booking system due to heavy traffic on the server. However, they clarified that there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders at the agency level. Consumers who received their last cylinder at least 25 days ago can collect a new one by presenting their consumer booklet at the agency.

Owner of Phagwara Gas Service, Parminder Singh, said that institutions using commercial cylinders can send a written request to the company for their requirement.

The company will review the firm's record before approving the supply. He added that people organising weddings and other social functions can also submit invitation cards to the company so that arrangements for cylinders can be considered.

Meanwhile, prices of kitchen essentials such as refined oil, mustard oil and vanaspati ghee have also increased. Grocery trader Manpreet Singh said the prices of these items have already gone up by more than Rs 10 per litre and there is a possibility of further increases in the coming days. He added that dry fruit prices have also risen and are likely to increase further in the near future.