New Delhi, March 12: Amid concerns about a possible cooking gas shortage in the country, the Central Government on Thursday appealed to people to avoid panic booking of LPG cylinders, stating that 100% supply of gas will be ensured for domestic consumers.
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said in an inter-ministerial press conference held at the National Media Centre that reports of severe cooking gas shortage in several states are not true and that LPG supply in the country remains normal.
She said that the Ministry has issued orders under the Essential Commodities Act, directing all refineries to maximize LPG production. As a result, domestic LPG production has increased to 28%, up from 25% a day earlier.
Sharma stated that approximately 100,000 retail outlets are operating in the country, and there have been no reports of gas shortages at any of these outlets.
She added that approximately 5 million cylinders are being distributed daily in the country, and there have been no reports of any shortages in the distribution system. However, panic buying has seen a manifold increase.
She appealed to citizens not to overbook cylinders, as this puts unnecessary pressure on the distribution system. He noted that India meets approximately 60 percent of its LPG needs through imports, of which approximately 90 percent comes through the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has made the situation challenging, but the government is taking every possible step to ensure supply.
She also stated that, following government intervention, more than 70 percent of India’s crude oil imports are now being sourced through routes other than the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining a relatively comfortable supply situation.
Sujata Sharma stated that the availability of petroleum products in the country is sufficient, and India consumes approximately 5.5 million barrels of crude oil daily. She added that India is the world’s fourth-largest refining country, which helps maintain the availability of products like petrol and diesel.
She explained that essential sectors like hospitals and educational institutions are being prioritized in non-domestic LPG supplies. Additionally, additional commercial cylinders will be made available in collaboration with the states to balance the demand for commercial LPG.
She added that alternative fuel options are also being activated to reduce the pressure on LPG supply. In this regard, an additional 48,000 kiloliters of kerosene will be provided to the states, in addition to the 100,000 kiloliters already being provided.