West Asia Crisis: Domestic LPG supply govt's top priority, daily panic-bookings surge to nearly 89 lakh

LPG Crisis Update: Central government spokespersons gave crucial updates on the potential impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on the Indian economy on Saturday. Speaking at a media briefing, marking the fourth inter-ministerial update from the national capital this week, officials maintained that fuel supplies remain stable despite disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, with the domestic output now up 31 per cent, from 25 per cent days ago. They also urged citizens not to panic-book LPG cylinders. Senior officials from the ministries of petroleum, external affairs, ports and IT shared detailed updates, touching upon areas like energy supply, maritime operations and the welfare of Indian nationals in the Middle East region.

In a significant update, they said that two Indian LPG carriers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are scheduled to reach the Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat on March 16-17. The central government's top priority continues to be uninterrupted domestic LPG supplies for people, said the officials.

Here are key takeaways from the March 14 briefing:

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• State and UT administrations are taking steps to prevent hoarding and black-marketing of essential commodities
• Two Indian LPG carriers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz
• They are scheduled to reach Mundra and Kandla on March 16-17
• The government is working with ports, shipping lines and logistics stakeholders
• The government will minimise operational impact on maritime trade

LPG Crisis Update | Citizens cautioned against misinformation

• Citizens advised to remain cautious of misinformation and rely only on official government handles
• More than adequate fertiliser stocks are available for the upcoming kharif season
• Discussions ongoing within BRICS on a common position on West Asia Situation

• Supply of LPG is still a concern in light of the prevailing geopolitical situation

• No reported dryout at LPG distributorships

• There has been surge in the number of LPG bookings on account of panic buying

• Daily bookings have increased from an average 55.7 lakh to 88.8 lakh

• State governments can decide on the priority distribution of commercial refills

• Commercial LPG has been made available to consumers in 29 states and UTs
• Online cylinder bookings stand at 84 per cent

Crude oil supplies

• Adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available

• All refineries are currently operating at high levels

• All refineries are maintaining adequate inventories

• India is self-sufficient petrol and diesel production

• No imports of petrol and diesel are required for catering to domestic demand

• No fuel dryout have been reported at any of OMCs' retail outlets

• Don't panic-buy

• Adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available

• Supplies are being maintained regularly

Natural gas supplies

• Priority sectors have been protected for their supplies including 100 per cent supply to PNG and CNG with no cuts
• There is no need to panic
• Supplies to industrial and commercial consumers are being regulated at 80 per cent
• GAIL engaged with city gas distributors operating in major urban centres and cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Jaipur
• The distributors have been advised to expedite and promote new commercial PNG connections for hotels and restaurants
• This will reduce LPG supply pressure

State government meetings

• The role of State/UT Governments is very important in monitoring supply situation of essential commodities including Petrol, Diesel and LPG.
• Hon’ble Chief Ministers of Haryana and Goa have conducted meetings with senior government officials and top officials of oil companies to review the demand and supply situation of LPG in the state.
• Telangana Chief Secretary reviewed the LPG stock position, supply, and distribution to consumers with representatives of oil marketing companies and officials of the Civil Supplies Department.
• Meeting was also conducted by Oil Companies with Andhra Pradesh’s Commissioner of Civil Supplies and appraised him of all the developments w.r.t LPG, PDS SKO and Commercial LPG.
• 17 States/UTs have setup control rooms to monitor situation and many States/UTs are doing press briefs also.

Enforcement action

• State Governments/UTs are playing a key role in preventing hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities including Petrol, Diesel and LPG.
• In Maharashtra and Rajasthan, joint inspection teams of the Food & Civil Supplies Department and Oil Marketing Companies conducted raids at multiple locations. PSU OMCs also carried out around 1300 inspections at LPG distributorships yesterday.
• In Uttar Pradesh, enforcement teams inspected 1,483 locations; 24 FIRs were registered (4 against LPG distributors and 20 against individuals), 6 persons were arrested and prosecution initiated against 19 individuals.
• Raids have also been conducted in several States including Andhra Pradesh (Tirupati), Bihar, Odisha and Karnataka to check hoarding and black marketing of LPG.