Patna, April 8: The Bihar Food and Consumer Protection Department announced Wednesday that domestic LPG cylinders are now being delivered within three to four days of booking, overcoming the supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing Gulf war.
Minister Leshi Singh, addressing a press conference at Soochna Bhawan, stated that while the global energy crisis initially sparked panic and agency crowding, the supply situation has stabilized through rigorous monitoring.
To ensure transparency and curb illegal activities, the state conducted extensive inspections of gas agencies, leading to 114 FIRs and the seizure of 1,662 cylinders.
The Minister also affirmed that a dedicated state-level control room in Patna is now managing consumer grievances, with daily complaints dropping from 450 to 150. For the upcoming marriage season, Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh noted that commercial cylinders would be distributed on an equitable basis to meet high demand.
“We held meetings with Oil Marketing Companies and asked them to ensure delivery of cylinders in a transparent manner,” Minister Singh stated.
She also urged a shift toward Piped Natural Gas (PNG), describing it as a more affordable and hassle-free alternative.
The state has already activated over 99,000 PNG connections under the Bihar City Gas Distribution Policy 2025, with the installation pace recently doubling to 8,000 households per month.
Regarding agricultural milestones, the department confirmed that the state successfully procured 36.79 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, achieving 99.84% of its Kharif Marketing Season target and benefiting over 5.5 lakh farmers.
For the current Rabi season, wheat procurement is underway with an increased Minimum Support Price of 2,585 per quintal. Additionally, the Minister declared that video-conferencing facilities are being established at state and district consumer forums to allow citizens to attend hearings remotely.
