LPG dealers ask the government for higher pay and new connections as piped gas grows

LPG distributors met Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday to ask for higher commissions, permission to give new gas connections, and a balanced plan for piped natural gas. Two industry executives shared details of the meeting with reporters.

Concerns

Dealers said their business costs are going up while sales of refill cylinders are dropping because piped natural gas is expanding. They noted that commissions have not changed since October 2023, even though safety and technology expenses keep rising. At the same time, they praised new digital steps like the delivery authentication code and e-KYC for making the system cleaner.

Demands

Distributors asked the government to let people freely choose between piped gas and LPG cylinders. They also want the Ministry to allow fresh LPG connections in places where piped gas has not reached yet. The Hindu has asked the government for a response.

Context

Changes in energy supply often force traditional dealers to adjust as new utility networks expand into homes. The shift toward piped gas in urban areas is a major part of the country's push to diversify household energy sources.