Kota (Rajasthan): A shortage of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders in Kota, reportedly triggered by panic linked to the conflict in West Asia, has affected the city's coaching hub where around one lakh students preparing for competitive exams depend on hostel and mess facilities.

According to officials, nearly 4,000 hostels and more than 500 mess facilities operate in the city, catering to students enrolled in coaching institutes.

District Collector Piyush Samaria on Thursday directed authorities to ensure regular supply of LPG cylinders to domestic consumers, hospitals and coaching institutions with hostels, while imposing strict restrictions on the sale of commercial cylinders to other establishments.

He also ordered the formation of committees to ensure smooth LPG supply and prevent hoarding and black marketing following directions from the Government of Rajasthan.

A district-level committee will include district supply officers, the deputy superintendent of police of the concerned area and sales officers from oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.

The committees have been asked to review LPG stocks with gas agencies and monitor refill waiting periods. Authorities warned that strict action would be taken against those involved in hoarding, black marketing or charging above prescribed prices.

Regular inspections will also be carried out to prevent diversion of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial use, and customers will be allowed a second refill only after an interval of 25 days, according to the order.

The district administration has also set up a control room under the district supply officer's office to monitor the situation.

Meanwhile, hostel and mess operators said they were facing severe difficulties in arranging around 600-700 LPG cylinders required daily to prepare food for students.

Naveen Mittal said they had earlier been assured of a special quota but were yet to receive any allocation, forcing some operators to purchase cylinders in the black market at Rs 3,000-3,500.

He said about 30 per cent of the one lakh coaching students in the city depend on mess facilities and supplies remain uncertain even after bookings.

However, Neetu Kanwar, a domestic LPG consumer, said she had booked a cylinder on Wednesday and received delivery on Friday as usual.