Government Urges States to Strengthen LPG Communication Amid Rumors
Government's Response to LPG Rumors
New Delhi. In light of the rumors surrounding LPG availability, the central government has alerted the states. The ministry has indicated that only 17 states are conducting regular press briefings, prompting a call for improved communication from the remaining states.
The government has expressed concern regarding the circulating rumors about LPG availability. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has sent a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and union territories, noting that merely 17 states/UTs are holding regular press briefings, which is insufficient to manage the situation effectively.
Appeal for Enhanced Communication from States
Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal, in his correspondence, mentioned that misinformation and rumors are still prevalent in certain areas, causing unnecessary panic among the public and leading to panic buying in some locations. The ministry has urged states to bolster their communication systems to maintain normalcy.
Currently, states such as Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are among the 17 states/UTs that are conducting regular or periodic press briefings. The central government has requested other states to adopt similar measures promptly.
Advice from the Ministry to States
The ministry has recommended that daily press briefings be held at senior levels and that accurate and timely information be disseminated through social and electronic media. This is to reassure the public about the adequate availability and smooth distribution of LPG and to curb the spread of rumors.
Additionally, the central government has instructed strict action against hoarding and black marketing. The letter emphasized the need for continuous measures to prevent such illicit activities.
This directive follows a warning issued on March 27, where the ministry highlighted the impact of geopolitical tensions in West Asia on the global supply chain. These circumstances have led to a surge in fake news on social media regarding the prices and availability of petrol, diesel, and LPG, increasing pressure on the domestic distribution system.