The government has taken a big step to deal with the gas crisis in India due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The government is now sourcing more consignments of LPG from new sources like America, Norway, Canada and Russia. Apart from this, procurement is also going on from the Gulf region where supplies are available. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri gave this information on Thursday. Being the world’s second largest LPG importer, India is currently facing the challenge of limited supply.
The Union Minister said that the Environment Ministry of the Center has advised the State Pollution Control Boards to allow the hotel and restaurant sector to use alternative fuels like biomass, kerosene and coal for a month, so that the consumption of LPG can be reduced.
Used to source 60% gas from Gulf countries
Puri told in Parliament that earlier India used to import about 60% of its LPG requirement from Gulf countries, but now the sources of purchase have been increased. Using emergency powers, the central government has ordered refineries to increase LPG production and reduce sales to industries, so that about 33.3 crore households in the country do not face gas shortage. The Union Minister said that the domestic LPG supply is completely safe and the delivery cycle of gas cylinders is also the same as before. Puri said that the panic over the supply of cooking gas is more due to the concern of consumers than the actual shortage.
Oil purchases from outside Hormuz increased
Due to America and Israel’s war with Iran, shipping around the world has been affected due to the halt in movement of ships in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz. This has also affected India’s crude oil, LPG and LNG supply. Despite the government’s steps, restaurants, hotels and many industries are beginning to feel the impact of limited supply of LPG, as it is mainly used for cooking.
These steps were taken to stop black marketing
Puri said that from Thursday, oil companies will allocate 20% of the average monthly commercial LPG requirement in collaboration with state governments, so that hoarding and black marketing can be prevented. Last year, India consumed 33.15 million tonnes of cooking gas, of which about 60% was met by imports.
There will be no shortage of gas in the midst of war
Puri also said that India’s current crude oil supply situation is secure, as the share of oil coming from outside the Strait of Hormuz in total imports has increased to 70%. He said that the availability of petrol and diesel in the country is also completely secure and the consignment of LNG is coming almost daily through alternative routes. Puri said, even if the conflict continues for a long time, India has adequate arrangements for gas production and LNG supply, due to which this situation can be handled.
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