The Central Government has reduced the minimum interval for booking domestic LPG refills in rural areas from 45 days to 25 days, bringing the booking period on par with that applicable in urban areas.
Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi announced the decision on Monday, stating that the LPG supply situation had improved considerably and refill backlogs had declined significantly.
Under the revised system, all domestic LPG consumers, irrespective of whether they live in urban or rural areas, can book a refill once every 25 days. The Petroleum Ministry has directed oil marketing companies to implement the revised rule with immediate effect.
The longer booking interval was introduced as a temporary demand-management measure amid pressure on LPG supplies following the outbreak of the conflict in West Asia. At the time, the booking interval was fixed at 25 days for urban consumers and 45 days for rural consumers.
With LPG supplies improving and refill backlogs declining, the Centre has now removed the differential booking intervals between urban and rural areas.
The revised rule is expected to provide greater convenience to rural households by reducing the waiting period for their next LPG refill by 20 days.
