New Delhi, June 25: The Government of India has decided to restore commercial Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplies to pre-crisis levels, rolling back temporary restrictions imposed during recent supply disruptions triggered by the West Asia crisis.
In a communication issued by Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary Neeraj Mittal to all State and Union Territory Chief Secretaries, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced the withdrawal of sectoral restrictions on Non-Domestic Packed LPG. The move aims to normalise commercial LPG availability following an improvement in supply conditions.
According to the ministry, commercial LPG supplies that were earlier curtailed to prioritise uninterrupted domestic cooking gas availability will now be restored to pre-crisis levels.
The ministry has also relaxed restrictions on bulk LPG supplies, permitting restoration up to 50 per cent of pre-crisis consumption levels.
Officials stated that commercial and industrial consumption data will continue to be monitored and maintained by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), with plans to develop a unified database across public sector OMCs for better supply management and monitoring.
At the same time, the Centre reiterated its push towards adoption of Piped Natural Gas (PNG), advising commercial and bulk consumers already connected to PNG networks to continue using the cleaner fuel. It also directed that LPG consumers with access to PNG infrastructure should be gradually transitioned to the pipeline system wherever feasible.
The ministry said OMCs and City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies will coordinate to ensure continued migration of eligible consumers to PNG and submit regular progress reports to the government.
The decision is expected to benefit hotels, restaurants, industrial units and other commercial establishments that had faced supply constraints during the period of geopolitical instability in West Asia.
