New Delhi,In a major relief for LPG consumers in rural areas, the central government has reduced the minimum interval for booking domestic LPG refills from 45 days to 25 days, bringing rural consumers on par with their urban counterparts. The revised rule will apply uniformly across the country with immediate effect.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said on Monday that the government has directed oil marketing companies (OMCs) to implement the uniform 25-day refill booking interval in both urban and rural areas.

Earlier, amid pressure on LPG supplies, the booking interval had been maintained at 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas as a temporary demand-management measure. The government has now relaxed the restriction following an improvement in the LPG supply situation and a significant reduction in the backlog of refill orders.

Under the revised system, all domestic LPG consumers, irrespective of whether they live in urban or rural areas, can book their next refill after a gap of 25 days. The Petroleum Ministry has instructed public-sector oil marketing companies to implement the change immediately.

The decision is expected to particularly benefit households in rural areas, which previously had to wait longer for their next refill booking. The move also removes the difference in booking intervals between rural and urban consumers.

The government had introduced longer booking intervals earlier in response to supply pressures. With the situation now improving and refill backlogs declining, several restrictions are being eased.

The Centre has also been relaxing restrictions on commercial LPG supplies. According to reports, non-domestic LPG supplies have been progressively restored, with commercial consumers being allowed supplies at a proportion of their pre-crisis consumption levels.

The latest decision is aimed at ensuring smoother LPG availability and providing greater convenience to domestic consumers across the country.