The Centre has restored supplies of Non-Domestic Packed LPG to pre-crisis levels and withdrawn all sectoral restrictions imposed during the West Asia crisis, providing significant relief to industrial and commercial consumers.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Thursday said supplies of bulk LPG, which had been suspended at the onset of the crisis, have also been partially resumed, with consumers now eligible to receive up to 50 per cent of their pre-crisis consumption levels. The decision follows an improvement in the domestic LPG supply situation and increased availability of imported LPG cargoes.
During the West Asia crisis, the government had invoked provisions under the Essential Commodities Act to direct that C3-C4 streams be used exclusively for LPG production, diverting them from petrochemical and other downstream sectors to ensure uninterrupted domestic LPG availability.
With indigenous LPG production improving, the government has now decided to reduce the diversion of C3-C4 streams to the LPG pool. The enhanced allocation for petrochemical and other critical sectors will be implemented while ensuring domestic LPG supplies remain unaffected and indigenous production does not fall below 40 TMT per day.
The Centre has directed the Centre for High Technology (CHT) to issue organisation-wise allocations of the additional C3-C4 streams and submit regular reports to the ministry.
The ministry said temporary restrictions on commercial LPG supplies had been imposed to safeguard household consumers amid global supply disruptions triggered by the West Asia crisis. It added that coordinated efforts by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) helped maintain stable LPG supplies despite challenges in global supply chains.
The government has also instructed OMCs to maintain comprehensive data on commercial and industrial LPG consumers and create a unified sectoral database to improve planning, monitoring and supply management.
Reiterating its commitment to cleaner energy, the government said commercial and bulk consumers who have already shifted to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) will continue using PNG. Other eligible consumers with access to PNG infrastructure will be progressively transitioned in coordination with City Gas Distribution entities.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has written to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to ensure smooth implementation of the revised supply arrangements. The ministry said the decision balances national energy security requirements with the country’s long-term objective of expanding access to cleaner, safer and more efficient fuels.
