This has baffled authorities and customers alike.

A customer of Mitul Gas Agency in Chandkheda said the distributor had supplied coupons in the residential societies in the area.

“The distributor has not only told customers of the latest diktat, but also distributed coupons to several of them ... another agency Apna Bazar, in the same area is also telling customers the same,” said a customer of Mitul agency on condition of anonymity.

Bharatbhai, manager of Dipti Gas Service in Khokhra, said: “This may be a ploy by distributors of the Indian Oil Corporation. We operate with Hindustan Petroleum and do not know of any such thing. It is anyway irrational to ration LPG cylinders by the number of refills, because consumption varies from family to family depending on the number of members.”

Customers of Mitul Gas Agency, said their distributor has told them that rationing on LPG refills will soon come into force and only nine cylinders will be allowed in 12 months to one customer. This will mean that one cylinder will have to be used for over a month.

Several attempts to contact Mitul Gas Agency failed, while customers living in the Shantidham and Hari Om Societies said people were being forced to accept the coupons in advance, against which they would get as many cylinders.