New Delhi, March 24 The government said on Tuesday that India has adequate stocks of petrol, diesel, and LPG, and that all refineries are operating at full capacity despite disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz situation.
In an update on fuel availability, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that petrol pumps across the country remain fully functional, although panic buying triggered by rumors led to unusually high sales in some areas.
She urged citizens not to engage in hoarding and to rely on official information.
Sharma said that domestic LPG production has been stepped up, with no reported shortages at distribution centers, even as supply remains under pressure due to the prevailing geopolitical situation. Deliveries continue as normal, she added.
Natural gas supplies to priority segments such as domestic piped natural gas (PNG) and CNG transport remain fully protected, while supplies to industrial and commercial users are being maintained at about 80 per cent of average consumption.
The government is pushing a shift from LPG to piped natural gas (PNG), with city gas companies accelerating connections and over 7,500 new domestic and commercial PNG links activated in the past day. States have been urged to expedite approvals for expanding city gas distribution networks.
To ease supply constraints, additional allocations of commercial LPG and kerosene have been made, while alternative fuels such as coal are also being made available for small and medium consumers.
The Centre, she said, has asked states to step up enforcement against hoarding and black marketing under the Essential Commodities Act, with around 3,400 raids conducted, 642 FIRs registered and about 155 arrests made so far.
Advising restraint, the government called on citizens to avoid panic purchases, use fuel judiciously and consider alternatives such as PNG and electric cooking options during the ongoing crisis.
Disclaimer: Due care and diligence have been taken in compiling and presenting news and market-related content. However, errors or omissions may arise despite such efforts.
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Readers are advised to rely on their own assessment and judgment and consult appropriate financial advisers, if required, before taking any investment-related decisions.