The Centre on Tuesday reiterated that there is no shortage of petrol and diesel across the country, with adequate stocks available at all 100,000 fuel stations.
It also assured that LPG supply is being prioritised for beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), including 1.1 million migrant workers, along with 105.6 million other beneficiaries.
Providing an update on the fuel supply situation, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Petroleum Ministry, said that petrol pumps nationwide remain well-stocked with auto fuels.
To ensure uninterrupted LPG availability for priority consumers, refineries have ramped up LPG production, even at the cost of reducing petrochemical output.
LPG Production and Imports Strengthened
India, the world’s fourth-largest refining hub, has a refining capacity exceeding 258 million tonnes per annum. By adjusting refining configurations, companies can increase the output of specific products such as LPG. In addition to domestic production, India imports about 60% of its LPG requirement to meet demand.
Pine Gas is expected to reach New Mangalore port on March 27, while Jag Vasant is likely to arrive at Kandla port on March 26. Additionally, five more LPG carriers loaded with 2.3 lakh metric tonnes and another currently being loaded are expected to depart for India soon.
PNG Push to Reduce LPG Demand
To ease pressure on LPG demand, the government is promoting piped natural gas (PNG). The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has directed city gas distribution companies to provide PNG connections to residential schools, colleges, hostels, community kitchens, and Anganwadi kitchens located near pipeline infrastructure.
Sujata Sharma said around 6 million households are immediately eligible for PNG connections and have been encouraged to opt for the facility. “Yesterday, just in a day, about 7,500 domestic and commercial connections have been provided to such people in the top 110 geographical areas,” she added reportedly.
She acknowledged that LPG supply has been impacted by prevailing geopolitical conditions but assured that multiple cargoes have been arranged and no shortages have been reported at LPG distributorships.
“The supply of LPG is affected due to prevailing geopolitical situations, but lot of cargos have been lined up, and no dry out has been reported at the LPG distributorships. Although yesterday also, we saw some panic bookings, but deliveries are normal,” she said.
Commercial Supply and Ujjwala Coverage Expanded
On commercial LPG supply, Sharma said the government increased allocation to commercial consumers to around 50% of their total requirement from March 21.
Priority supply is being given to restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing units, dairy operations, subsidised canteens, and community kitchens serving the poor and migrant workers.
Under the Ujjwala scheme, around 1.1 million migrant workers have received LPG connections so far, including about 73,000 in recent months. “Yesterday also, more than 25,000 connections of 5kg LPG have been given to them,” she said.
These supplies are being managed by state-run oil marketing companies in coordination with state governments.
Orders for commercial LPG distribution have been issued by 24 states and Union Territories, while in other regions, state-run oil marketing companies are directly handling distribution. So far, about 18,700 tonnes of commercial LPG have been supplied.
