According to an official release, the directive also applies to Union territories, all north-east states, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, apart from all places 2,000 feet above sea level.

The key LPG marketers in the country are Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL). Several private sector companies are also distributing LPG in a "parallel market" not entitled to the Rs 70 per cylinder government subsidy on LPG. The national oil companies will have to sell LPG across the counter in the hill areas, after catering for the waiting list.