Government ‘s big relief to states – increases 50 percent LPG supply

Commercial LPG consumers in major cities and urban areas advised to switch to PNG

JK News Today

An update on the preparedness and response measures being undertaken by the Government of India in light of the ongoing developments in West Asia is shared below. These cover key areas including energy supply, maritime operations, and support for Indian nationals in the region.

Energy Supply and Fuel Availability

In view of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, steps have been taken to ensure stable availability of petroleum products and LPG across the country. The current position is as follows:

Crude/Refineries

· All refineries are operating at high capacity, with adequate crude inventories in place. The country is also maintaining sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel.

· Domestic LPG Production from refineries has been increased.

Retail Outlets

· No cases of fuel dry outs have been reported at any of the ROs by the Oil Marketing Companies. The Government reiterates its advice to the public not to resort to panic buying, as adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available and supplies are being maintained regularly.

Natural Gas

· Priority sectors have been protected for their supplies including 100% supply to D-PNG and CNG-Transport. Supplies to industrial & commercial consumers connected on grid is at 80% of their average consumption.

· City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities have also been advised by Govt. of India to prioritize PNG connections for commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and canteens across all their Gas, to address concerns regarding the availability of commercial LPG.

· CGD Companies like IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL have offered incentives for taking domestic and Commercial PNG connections.

· CGD entities have been directed by PNGRB to shorten the timeline between the submission of applications and the commencement of gas supply to consumer households.

· Govt. of India vide letter date 16.03.2026 has requested Govt. of States/UTs to expedite approval of applications required for expansion of CGD network.

· Govt. of India vide letter dated 18.03.2026 has offered all States/UTs additional 10% allocation of commercial LPG to States provided they can help in long term transition from LPG to PNG.

· In addition, the Govt. of India vide letter dated 19.03.2026 have requested all concerned Central Government Ministries-

Ø To issue necessary directions to the concerned Department/Bodies for immediate fast tracking and disposal of all pending and new permissions related to CGD infrastructure.

Ø A streamlined and time bound mechanism for processing future CGD related permission requests may also be put in place.

Ø All Central Government establishments/Colonies/Officers/Canteens may also be advised to switch over to PNG wherever the same is available.

· Govt. of India vide letter dated 20.03.2026 has requested all Central Govt. Ministries to undertake a comprehensive assessment of potential demand for PNG connections in establishments under various Ministries/Departments of the Govt. of India and to designate a nodal officer from each Ministry/Department to coordinate this exercise.

· In response to above Govt. of India letter, Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) has advised all its offices to dispose off CGD applications on priority i.e., within 10 days of receipt.

· Commercial LPG consumers in the major cities and urban area have been requested to switch to PNG.

LPG

· Supply of LPG is still a concern in view of prevailing geopolitical situation.

Domestic LPG Supply:

· No reported dry-out at LPG distributorships.

· Majority of the Deliveries are happening via Delivery authentication code (DAC).

· Panic bookings have reduced.

· Delivery of Domestic LPG Cylinders is normal.

Commercial LPG supply:

· Govt. has already restored Partial Commercial LPG supply (20%) to consumers. Further, Govt. of India vide letter dated 18.03.2026 has proposed to allocate additional 10% of Commercial LPG to States/UTs based on ease of doing business reforms for PNG expansion.

· Govt. of India vide letter dated 21.03.2026 has allowed another 20% allocation of commercial LPG to States, which would take overall allocation to 50% (incl. 10% allocation based on ease of doing reforms for PNG expansion). This additional 20% allocation shall be given on priority to sectors like restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens/outlets run by State Govt. or local bodies for food, community kitchens, 5 Kg FTL for migrant labourers.

· 20 States/UTs have issued orders to allocate the Non-domestic LPG in line with the guidelines issued by the Govt. of India. For rest of the States/UTs, PSU Oil Marketing companies are releasing Commercial LPG cylinders. A total of around 13,479 MT has been uplifted during last one week by commercial entities in the States/UTs.

· Educational Institutions and Hospitals have been prioritised and around 50% of the total commercial LPG allocation is going to these sectors.

Kerosene

· Additional allocation of 48000 KL of Kerosene over and above the regular allocation has been made to all the States/UTs.

· States/UTs have been requested to identify locations in districts for distribution of kerosene.

· 15 States/UTs have issued SKO allocation orders. Further, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh have communicated that there is no SKO requirement in the State/UT. As on date, 17 States/UTs are yet to issue SKO allocation orders.

Meetings conducted by State Governments

· Under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and LPG Control Order, 2000, State Govt. are empowered to act against any hoarding and black marketing. Govt. of States/UTs have to play a primary role in monitoring and regulating supply situation of essential commodities including Petrol, Diesel and LPG.

· Govt. of India vide letter dated 13.03.2026 and 18.03.2026 has requested all States/UTs –

Ø To maintain strict vigilance so as to curb hoarding, black marketing, diversion of domestic LPG and other malpractices.

Ø To take stringent action against violators under the provisions of Essential Commodities Act, 1955, Petroleum Act, 1934, Petroleum Rules 2002, Motor Spirit and HSD order 2005 and other applicable laws.

Ø To evolve appropriate distribution methodologies for commercial LPG, keeping in view local priorities and requirements.

Ø To issue public advisories to prevent panic buying, encourage judicious use of LPG and dissemination of accurate information.

· 32 States/UTs have setup control rooms. Many of the States/UTs are doing daily press briefs also.

· 32 States/UTs have setup District Level Monitoring Committee.

· All those States/UTs who have not setup Control rooms and District Monitoring committees are requested to do so on urgent basis.

Enforcement action

· Raids continue to be carried out in many of the States/UTs to check the hoardings and black marketing of LPG. More than 3,500 raids have been conducted and around 1400 cylinders have been seized in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra etc.

· All the States/UTs govt. are requested to conduct regular raids so that black marketing and hoardings can be arrested.

· PSU OMCs officials have conducted surprise inspections at more than 2,000 RO and LPG distributorships across the country to ensure smooth supplies and to check any hoardings/black marketing cases.

Other Government Measures

· Despite this war situation, Government’s has given highest priority to Domestic LPG and PNG, along with high priority to hospitals and educational institutions.

· The Government has already implemented several rationalisation measures on both the supply and demand side, including enhancing refinery production, increasing the booking interval from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas and prioritising sectors for supply.

· Alternate fuel options like Kerosene and coal have been offered to ease pressure on LPG demand. MoEFCC has already advised State Pollution Control Board for permitting the use of kerosene and coal as alternate use.

· Ministry of Coal has already issued order to Coal India and Singareni Coallieries to allot higher quantities to States for distributing coal to small, medium and other consumers.

· States have been advised to facilitate the new PNG connections for both domestic and commercial consumers. A proposal for 10% additional allocation of commercial LPG has been made to the States facilitating and expediting the process.

Public Advisory

· Government is taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted availability and delivery of LPG cylinders to households; citizens are advised to rely only on official sources and avoid rumours.

· Citizens are requested to avoid panic bookings, use digital modes for LPG bookings, and refrain from visiting distributorships; home delivery of cylinders is being ensured.

· While panic bookings have declined, isolated instances of crowding at distributorships have been reported; consumers are advised not to queue up and await deliveries at home.

· Citizens are encouraged to use alternate fuels such as PNG and electric/induction cooktops, and to adopt energy conservation practices in daily usage.

Maritime Safety and Shipping Operations

Necessary measures have been put in place to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region. As per Ministry:

· The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is closely monitoring shipping movements, port operations, safety of Indian seafarers and continuity of maritime trade; all Indian seafarers in the region are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the past 24 hours.

· A total of 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region; DG Shipping is monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian Missions.

· In one incident, an Indian seafarer (Master of Panama-flagged vessel ASP Avana) passed away on 18.03.2026; DG Shipping is coordinating with the Indian Mission in UAE and extending full support to the family.

· The DG Shipping Control Room remains operational 24×7 and has handled 3,670 calls and 6,929 emails since activation (including 120 calls and 181 emails in the past 24 hours); over 534 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated so far, including 21 in the last 24 hours.

· India’s maritime sector continues to operate smoothly with no congestion reported across ports; the Ministry remains in close coordination with State Maritime Boards and other stakeholders to ensure safety of seafarers and uninterrupted maritime trade and port operations.

Safety of Indian Nationals in the Region

· Indian Missions and Posts remain in touch with the Indian community and continue to extend assistance, along with issuing necessary advisories for their safety and well-being. As informed by Ministry:

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke today with President of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, extending Eid and Nowruz greetings; both leaders discussed the West Asia situation, expressed hope for peace and stability, condemned attacks on critical infrastructure impacting global supply chains, reiterated the need to keep shipping lanes open and secure, and appreciated Iran’s support for Indian nationals.

• Prime Minister spoke yesterday with the King of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, and exchanged Eid al-Fitr greetings; the two sides reviewed the situation in West Asia, strongly denounced attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure impacting global food, fuel and fertilizer security, stressed the need for uninterrupted maritime movement, and acknowledged His Majesty’s continued support for the well-being of the Indian community in Bahrain.

· Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community as the highest priority; a dedicated 24×7 control room remains operational, and coordination is ongoing with State Governments and UTs.

· Indian Missions and Posts across the region are functioning round the clock, operating helplines, issuing advisories, and maintaining close contact with community organisations and local authorities; assistance continues for seafarers, students, stranded nationals and short-term visitors.

· Since 28 February, around 3.3 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region.

· From the UAE, around 90 flights are expected to operate today; flights are also continuing from Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Qatar is operating 8–10 non-scheduled flights with partial reopening of its airspace.

· With airspace closures in Kuwait and Bahrain, alternative arrangements are in place: flights are being operated via Saudi Arabia (including from Dammam and Al Qaisumah airports), and travel of Indian nationals is being facilitated through Saudi Arabia.

· 15 Indian crew members of MT Safesea Vishnu have safely returned to India from Iraq.

· In separate incidents, 6 Indian nationals have lost their lives and 1 remains missing; Missions in the region are coordinating with authorities for search efforts and early repatriation of mortal remains.