New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has asked all states and Union Territories to immediately step up proactive public communication on the availability of LPG and other petroleum products, citing the continued circulation of rumours and misinformation that are causing unnecessary public concern and panic buying.

In a letter dated April 2, 2026, Secretary Dr Neeraj Mittal urged Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to ensure daily press briefings at an appropriately senior level. He also emphasised the timely dissemination of accurate information through social and electronic media to reassure citizens about adequate stock and the smooth distribution of LPG, while effectively countering false narratives.

The letter refers to an earlier communication dated March 27, 2026, in which the Ministry had highlighted the need for regular engagement to prevent the spread of fake news regarding the availability and prices of petrol, diesel, and LPG. Despite these efforts, rumours persist in several parts of the country, leading to avoidable hoarding and placing strain on the distribution network.

Dr Mittal noted with concern that, as per feedback from state-level coordinators of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), only 17 States and Union Territories are currently conducting regular or intermittent press briefings or issuing press releases. The Ministry has now called for intensified and consistent communication across all States and Union Territories.

The 17 States and Union Territories presently undertaking such communication efforts are: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

The April 2 letter further directs states to continue taking strict action against malpractices such as hoarding and black marketing of LPG and other petroleum products. Dr Mittal sought the personal intervention of Chief Secretaries in the matter to ensure effective implementation.

The current advisory comes against the backdrop of global supply chain disruptions caused by geopolitical developments in West Asia, which had temporarily impacted LPG availability in some regions. Although the Central government has taken several measures to streamline distribution, misinformation and fake news on social media platforms have exacerbated the situation, resulting in panic buying and unnecessary pressure on the supply chain.

In the March 27 DO letter, the Ministry had already stressed that proactive, regular, and real-time communication through all modes — including daily press briefings at senior levels — is of paramount importance. The latest communication reiterates this position and expresses dissatisfaction over the slow response from many States and Union Territories.

With this fresh advisory, the Centre expects all States — especially those not currently conducting regular briefings — to immediately put in place robust mechanisms for public outreach. Failure to do so may allow misinformation to continue unchecked, affecting both consumers and the distribution network.

–IANS

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