LPG shortage in food processing sector not much of concern for now: Paswan

Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan on Tuesday sought to reassure the sector over LPG supply disruptions, saying the shortage was not that much of a concern for now, even as the Government remains on alert over the escalating West Asia crisis.

Commercial LPG supply has been severely curtailed, capped at just 20 per cent of average monthly consumption for businesses, as the Government prioritises domestic household cooking gas in the wake of significant supply chain disruptions triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

“Right now, it is not that much of a concern. Yes, precautionary steps are being taken, but then we need to keep an eye,” Paswan told reporters on the sidelines of an Assocham event on nutraceuticals.

Offering reassurance to the industry, the minister said, “I assure that as of now, the situation is under control. But, yes, we need to keep an eye and keep a watch on the situation of the war. If it continues, then definitely further steps will need to be taken”.

LPG is a critical input for India’s food processing sector, powering everything from deep fryers and ovens to drying and sterilisation units in plants that produce snacks, namkeens, biscuits, dairy products, and packaged foods. Its supply disruption has raised concerns about production continuity across a wide range of processed food categories.The Government, Paswan said, is actively onitoring the situation to ensure LPG supply is maintained, given the war conditions in West Asia.