PM Modi chaired a CCS meeting on the West Asia conflict, reviewing measures to ensure the supply of petroleum products, power, and fertilizers. The meeting stressed on diversifying sources and safeguarding citizens from the conflict’s impact.
Ensuring Supply of Essential Commodities
Cabinet Secretary briefed about the action taken to ensure supply of petroleum products, particularly LNG/LPG, and sufficient power availability, an official release said. Sources are being diversified for the procurement of LPG with new inflows from different countries. Similarly, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is being sourced from different countries.Prime Minister assessed the availability of critical needs for the common man. He discussed availability of fertilisers in the country and steps being taken to ensure its availability in the Kharif and Rabi seasons.He said that all efforts must be made to safeguard the citizens from the impact of this conflict.
Curbing Misinformation and Ensuring Action
Prime Minister also emphasised smooth flow of authentic information to the public to prevent misinformation and rumour mongering.Prime Minister directed all concerned departments to take all possible measures to ameliorate the problems of citizens and sectors affected by the ongoing global situation.
Specific Measures on Energy and Pricing
The Cabinet Secretary also briefed that LPG prices for domestic consumers have remained the same and anti-diversion enforcement to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG is being conducted regularly. Initiatives have also been taken to expand Piped Natural Gas connections.
Ensuring Power Availability
Measures like exempting the gas-based power plants with a capacity of 7-8 GW from gas pooling mechanism and increasing of rake for positioning more coal at thermal power stations have also been taken to ensure availability of power during the peak summer months.
Addressing Emerging Challenges
Further, interventions proposed to be taken for emerging challenges in various other sectors such as agriculture, civil aviation, shipping and logistics were also discussed.
Securing Fertiliser Supply
Various efforts like maintaining urea production to meet requirements, coordinating with overseas supplies for DAP/NPKS suppliers are being taken to ensure fertilizer supply.State governments are being requested to curb black marketing, hoarding, and diversion of fertilizers through daily monitoring, raids, and strict action.
Price Stability and Monitoring
The retail prices of food commodities have been stable over the past one month, the release said.Control Rooms have been set up for constant monitoring and interaction with States/UTs on prices and enforcement of Essential Commodities Act.The prices of agricultural products , vegetables and fruits are also being monitored.
Global Diversification and Diplomatic Efforts
Efforts to globally diversify India’s sources for energy, fertilizers and other supply chains, and international initiatives for securing safe passage of vessels through the strait of Hormuz and ongoing diplomatic efforts are being taken.Enhanced coordination, real-time communication, and proactive measures across central, state, and district levels to drive effective information dissemination and public awareness amid the evolving crisis is being undertaken, the release said.The meeting was held at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg and this was the second special CCS meeting on this issue. The conflict between Israel-US and Iran began on February 28 and has entered its second month, causing energy supply disruptions across the world.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)