Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob on Tuesday urged the Centre to reduce the waiting period for booking domestic LPG refills ahead of Onam.

In a letter to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Jacob sought the immediate withdrawal of restrictions on LPG refill bookings in the state to prevent shortages during the festival season.

At present, the waiting period for booking domestic LPG is 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas, the minister pointed out in the letter, according to an official statement.

The minister said the difference would adversely affect families during Onam, when demand for cooking gas is expected to rise.

He pointed out that households require more LPG than their average consumption during the festive season, making adequate availability particularly important.

The minister also noted that Onam is a time when people travel from distant places to spend the festival with their loved ones, besides the arrival of tourists.

He urged the Centre to ease the booking restrictions immediately to ensure uninterrupted LPG supplies in the state.

Thiruvonam, the main day of the Onam festival, falls on August 26 this year.