Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has detected nearly 13 lakh suspected multiple LPG connections in northern states.

A Chandigarh-based official of IOC said that they would take action after verifying those multiple connections.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official said, "We have found about 12.97 lakh LPG connections which are suspected to be multiple and we are taking action after verifying them."

The state-owned oil company has found these multiple connections in Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. As IOC around 50 lakh LPG connections in these state, the figure of 12.97 lakh multiple connections account for 26 per cent of the company's total connections.

Of the total multiple LPG connections, 11.84 lakh were found under category of 'different names same address,' while were found under the 'same name same address' category.

So far, the company has either blocked, deactivated or terminated slightly more than 12 lakh connections as part of its countrywide movement called `One Household and One LPG Connection'.

Oil companies including IOC, BPCL and HPCL have given their customers time till 31st of October to surrender any extra connections, if they have. After this deadline, erring customers will be liable to face permanent disconnection and even punitive action under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA).