Govt reassures cooking gas distribution is normal
The demand for cooking gas in India has surged amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, reflecting widespread panic buying, the Government said on Friday, even as domestic LPG production has risen by 30 per cent. LPG bookings jumped to 75.7 lakh in March from an average of 55.7 lakh, driven by anxiety over supply disruptions. Online bookings rose to 83 per cent in March from 71 per cent in February.
In a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said 100 per cent of domestic LPG is being supplied to households. She confirmed that commercial LPG supply has slowed, affecting food businesses, but the Union Government has placed these cylinders at the disposal of State Governments for priority distribution. Supply chains, she added, are functioning normally.
Despite assurances, consumers and dealers report uncertainties. The Government said LPG is also being supplied to hospitals and educational institutions, and black-marketing and hoarding are being strictly monitored. There are 25,605 LPG distributors serving 33.37 crore consumers, delivering roughly 50 lakh domestic cylinders daily. About 60 per cent of India’s LPG requirement is imported, with 90 per cent passing through the Strait of Hormuz, currently shut by Iran.
The Government also confirmed that Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to households and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles continues without interruptions. Industrial consumers connected to the gas grid, such as tea factories and manufacturing units, will receive around 80 per cent of their previous six-month average supply, while fertiliser plants will get about 70 per cent.
Sharma addressed crude oil concerns, noting that all refineries operate at 100 per cent or higher capacity, ensuring self-sufficiency in petrol and diesel. She advised households near PNG networks—about 60 lakh—to consider switching to piped connections for convenience.
In the Parliament, Opposition MPs disrupted proceedings over the alleged LPG shortage, citing long queues and uncertainty for consumers and small businesses.
