The Union Government on Tuesday invoked the Essential Commodities Act (EC Act) to safeguard domestic fuel availability, directing refineries and petrochemical units to maximise the production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) amid disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
The Petroleum Ministry said the order aims to ensure uninterrupted supply of cooking gas to households as geopolitical tensions continue to place pressure on global energy markets.
Under the directive, refineries have been instructed to divert key hydrocarbon streams to the LPG pool and increase LPG production. The government has also prioritised LPG supply for domestic consumers to maintain energy security.
A control order issued by the ministry sets a priority framework for natural gas distribution across sectors.
According to the order, natural gas supply will be maintained at 100 per cent of the past six-month average consumption for domestic piped natural gas (PNG) supply and compressed natural gas (CNG) used for transport. Gas supply for LPG production and essential pipeline operations will also receive full priority, subject to operational availability.
Gas supply to fertiliser plants will be maintained at 70 per cent of their past six-month average consumption. Industries including tea manufacturing and other industrial consumers connected to the national gas grid will receive up to 80 per cent of their previous six-month average consumption.
City Gas Distribution entities have also been directed to ensure that industrial and commercial consumers supplied through their networks receive 80 per cent of their past six-month average gas consumption, subject to operational availability.
To offset possible disruptions in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, refineries have been asked to reduce gas allocation to around 65 per cent of their past six-month consumption where operationally feasible.
The government has also directed all producers, importers, transporters, marketers and distributors of natural gas, including LNG and regasified LNG, to provide detailed information on production, imports, stocks, allocation, supply and consumption to authorised government officials.
Separately, state-run oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation — said they have begun measures to increase LPG production and secure supplies for domestic consumers and essential services.
“In light of current geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply and constraints on supply of LPG, Ministry has taken the step for higher LPG production and securing it for supplying to domestic customers,” the companies said in a joint statement.
They added that LPG supplies will also be prioritised for essential non-domestic sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.
For other non-domestic sectors, a committee of three Executive Directors from the oil marketing companies has been constituted to review requests and determine supply priorities based on availability.
To discourage hoarding and curb black marketing, the ministry has also introduced a 25-day inter-booking period for LPG consumers.
Officials said the measures are intended to stabilise the domestic fuel supply system as uncertainty continues in global energy markets.
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