Petrol-diesel, LPG supply normal in J&K, Ladakh: IOCL Executive Director

Executive Director (ED) and State Head of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for J&K, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Ashutosh Gupta Wednesday stated that the supply of petroleum products, including petrol and diesel was normal in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

He said LPG supplies were also stable, with adequate stock to meet public demand.

Accompanied by Director, PIB Jammu Neha Jalali, Ashutosh Gupta was responding to media queries in a press conference organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Jammu on the current status of fuel and LPG supply in Jammu and Kashmir amidst the ongoing situation in West Asia.

State-level coordinator of oil Industry in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Himanshu Sharma besides other officials of OICL were also present on the occasion.

Gupta also mentioned that the Government of India appealed for the utilisation of PNG (Piped Natural Gas) and that a main trunk line was expected to ensure PNG supply to Jammu and Kashmir within a year.

The IOCL Executive Director said the stock position of Motor Spirit (MS) and High-Speed Diesel (HSD) was normal across J&K, adding that Oil Marketing Company (OMC) depots were maintaining healthy inventory levels.

“Retail outlets have sufficient stock for uninterrupted sales. There is no cause for concern regarding the availability of automotive fuels,” he stated.

Ashutosh Gupta said oil refineries were currently operating at more capacity to meet the growing demand, ensuring that there were no dry outs or artificial shortages. He said despite the unprecedented national supply disruption, J&K successfully maintained commercial LPG supply more than 70 percent of its pre-crisis average.

“This figure reflects the sustained and coordinated efforts of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and the J&K government. Against the pre-crisis daily average of 2072 cylinders (commercial sale 19 kg equivalent on February 26), we are currently delivering 1958 cylinders per day – ensuring that commercial kitchens, industries and establishments continue to receive a substantial and functional share of their requirement,” he said.

Gupta stated that it had been achieved through strict supply chain management, priority-based allocation, and active monitoring – even as the nation continued to face a 25–30 percent overall LPG supply deficit due to the Hormuz disruption.

He assured the public that there was no need to panic as there was no issue with respect to the availability of LPG in the region and informed that there had been a 25-30 per cent increase in indigenous production of LPG to further strengthen supply lines.

With regard to hoarding and black-marketing practices, Gupta stressed the Corporation’s zero tolerance policy. He informed that 9,128 raids were conducted and 181 surprise inspections carried out.

“We have already seized 295 cylinders, and three FIRs have been registered against illegal practices. Dealers have been working with patience to discourage hoarding and legal action will be taken against anyone involved in hoarding or black marketing,” he said.

The government was committed to maintaining a disciplined market, with 69 show cause-notices issued to violators, he added.

“The complaints of malpractices by some of the LPG distributors are being reported on social media as well as through complaints from the customers. Some complaints were received on social media about the current crisis. Immediate response is given to the genuine concerns. Relevant information and updates for the benefit of the customers is shared via our various social media handles from time to time,” Ashutosh Gupta said.

The IOCL Executive Director pointed out that booking for LPG currently was being managed efficiently with an OTP-based verification system. He informed that this system had seen 92 per cent of bookings made via digital mode by genuine customers.

“Additionally, FTL 5-kg cylinders have been made available for migrant workers. 55 camps have been organised for daily wage workers to provide easy access to fuel in the form of FTL cylinders,” he said.

The Executive Director said that total commercial LPG allocation had been increased to about 70 percent of pre-crisis levels. Additional measures were undertaken to support vulnerable sections, including doubling the allocation of 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders for migrant labourers, he informed.

Regarding commercial LPG supply, Gupta stated that the demand from hospitals, educational institutes and hotels increased from 20 percent to 70 percent, demonstrating the growing reliance on fuel in critical sectors.

Earlier in her opening remarks, Director, PIB Jammu Neha Jalali provided an overview of the steps taken by the Government of India to ensure a continuous and uninterrupted supply of essential petroleum products, including diesel, petrol and LPG, across the country. She highlighted that the government implemented several proactive measures to mitigate any disruptions to the supply chain.

Neha Jalali informed that more than 30 inter-ministerial briefings were held in New Delhi to provide a status on the supply of fuel, LPG, and fertilisers. She also emphasised the crucial role played by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, through PIB and its associated media units, in disseminating accurate and factual information regarding fuel availability. She stated that the PIB had been actively countering misinformation and fake news related to fuel shortages.

She urged the public to rely only on verified information from official sources and to refrain from spreading unverified news, which could cause unnecessary panic and disruptions.