New Delhi [India], March 12 (HBTV): Domestic LPG production has increased by about 25 per cent and the entire domestic output is being directed towards household consumers, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Wednesday.
The government also stated that for non-domestic LPG, priority is being given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.
The remarks were made during an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia held at the National Media Centre. Senior officers from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting attended the briefing.
Officials said that for non-domestic LPG, priority allocation is being given to critical sectors including hospitals and educational institutions.
The current price of a domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi stands at INR 913 after a recent increase of INR 60. For Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries, the price remains INR 613 per cylinder.
The government has also approved INR 30,000 crore as compensation for oil marketing companies for LPG under-recoveries, officials said.
India imports about 60 per cent of its LPG consumption, and nearly 90 per cent of these imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected by the ongoing situation in the region.
A three-member committee of Executive Directors from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has been constituted to review LPG allocations to restaurants, hotels, and other commercial users to ensure fair and transparent distribution of available supplies.
On the natural gas front, the government issued a Natural Gas Control Order on March 9, 2026, under the Essential Commodities Act to manage supplies and protect priority sectors.
Officials said domestic PNG supply and CNG for vehicles will receive 100 per cent supply with no cuts.
Tea industries, manufacturing units, and other industrial consumers connected to the gas grid will receive about 80 per cent of their previous six-month average supply.
Fertiliser plants will receive around 70 per cent supply, while refineries and petrochemical units will face a reduction of about 35 per cent so that higher priority sectors can be protected.
India’s total natural gas consumption is about 189 MMSCMD, of which 97.5 MMSCMD is produced domestically. About 47.4 MMSCMD of supply has been affected due to force majeure conditions.
The ministry said India’s crude oil supply remains secure. The country’s daily crude oil consumption is about 55 lakh barrels, and through diversified procurement, the secured volumes currently exceed what would normally have arrived through the Strait of Hormuz during this period.
India now imports crude oil from around 40 countries. As a result of this diversification, about 70 per cent of crude imports now come through routes outside the Strait of Hormuz, compared with about 55 per cent earlier.
During the briefing, it was also mentioned that the Union Home Secretary held a meeting with the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of all states and Union Territories.
States and Union Territories were advised to take strict action against hoarding of essential commodities and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential supplies.
The Ministry of External Affairs also provided an update on the situation concerning Indian nationals in the region.
Two Indian nationals have lost their lives and one remains missing in incidents involving merchant ships that came under attack. Condolences were conveyed to the families of the victims.
Some injured Indian nationals are receiving treatment and are being assisted by Indian missions. One Indian national injured in Israel is recovering well, while another injured in Dubai is in contact with the Indian Consulate.
About 9,000 Indian nationals are currently in Iran, and the Indian mission remains in close contact with the community. Indian students and pilgrims have been relocated to safer cities outside Tehran, officials said.
Assistance is also being provided for land border crossings into Armenia and Azerbaijan so that individuals can take commercial flights back to India. Citizens have been advised to follow the official social media handles of the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions for regular updates.
(ANI)