New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) The government on Thursday sought to allay fears of gas or LPG shortage in the country, saying Indian refineries are operating at high-capacity utilisation, domestic LPG production has increased by 28 per cent, and 50 lakh cylinders are being delivered every day.
Senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, External Affairs, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Information and Broadcasting said the government was ready to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, maritime safety and welfare of Indian Nationals abroad.
They appealed to the people not to believe fake narratives and rumours and not indulge in panic booking.
An official spokesman said Indian Refineries are operating at high-capacity utilisation, in several cases, they are exceeding 100 per cent., and retail outlets are functional with adequate stocks.
Fifty lakh cylinders are being delivered every day, while domestic LPG production has increased by 28 per cent. Port operations across India also remain stable.
The spokesman said the government has taken coordinated measures across infrastructure, financial facilitation, energy security monitoring, and vessel safety operations.
Foreign Missions are in regular touch with Indian community members, helping them with information for commercial flight options and visas.
‘’Citizens are urged to avoid panic booking of LPG cylinders and beware of misinformation and rumours,’’ the spokesman said.
For non-domestic LPG, priority is being given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.
A three-member committee of Executive Directors from IOCL, HPCL and BPCL has been constituted to review allocations to restaurants, hotels and other commercial users. The committee is consulting with state authorities and industry bodies to finalise a plan to ensure that available LPG is distributed.
Alternate fuel options are being activated to ease pressure on LPG and gas channels. Kerosene is being made available through retail outlets and PDS channels, and fuel oil is being made available for industrial and commercial consumers.
The government has also advised State Pollution Control Boards to permit, for the duration of this crisis period, the use of biomass, RDF pellets, and Kerosene/coal as alternate fuels for the hospitality and restaurant segment for one month, which would enable a wider range of establishments to switch and free up LPG for priority consumers.
