Odisha’s “ban” on 5kg LPG cylinders is less absolute than it first appeared. The government’s clarification, allowing OMC sales with ID or eKYC, seeks to curb black marketing while preserving access.
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Yet, the shift from open market availability to regulated channels exposes a gap between intent and reality. For migrants, students, and small vendors who relied on easy, informal access, supply constraints at OMC counters could mean longer queues, higher indirect costs, and uncertainty.
The policy reflects a classic trade-off: tightening enforcement versus ensuring accessibility. Without strengthening last-mile distribution, a reform aimed at transparency risks becoming exclusionary in practice.
