NEW DELHI, April 3 (Xinhua) -- India's federal government has asked the states to take necessary action to curb malpractices such as hoarding and black marketing of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products, officials said Friday.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has written a letter to all states, urging local governments to intensify their communication strategies to prevent panic buying and hoarding of LPG and petroleum products across the country.
The states have been asked to step up proactive and regular public communication to ensure the timely dissemination of accurate information through social and electronic media.
The ministry has also asked states to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding, diversion, and the spread of misinformation that could trigger unnecessary panic.
The ongoing Middle East conflict has triggered a tight supply of LPG in India because of the reduction of sea traffic through the key oil shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz. ■