India, April 3 -- The Centre has directed states and Union Territories to step up action against hoarding and black marketing of petroleum products and LPG, amid emerging supply concerns linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Close PlayerUnibots.com Invoking provisions under the Essential Commodities Act and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has asked state authorities to intensify enforcement, conduct daily raids and inspections in coordination with oil marketing companies, and maintain strict vigilance against diversion and misinformation.

States have also been instructed to institutionalise daily press briefings, set up control rooms an...