“In the present scenario of shortage of LPG due to the Middle East crisis, OMCs (oil marketing companies) are providing 20% of commercial LPG for states. It would be a smart move at this stage for states to allow LPG consumers to switch to PNG. Therefore, it is proposed that even though LPG for commercial purposes is in short supply, its allocation should be increased to 30% provided that states can assist in the long-term transition from Miteland to PNG, the secret ministry at the Centre.
So far, 15 states have started disbursing commercial LPG cylinders under the 20% allocated quota and 7,200 tonnes have been disbursed, the joint secretary said.
Stock status
On petrol, diesel, crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) stocks, Sharma said India continues to be comfortably positioned and that imports of oil and LNG are coming from alternative sources.
Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said the Indian-flagged vessels carrying energy products bound for India, which are stuck on the western side of the Strait of Hormuz, are loaded with 1.67 million tonnes of crude oil and 200,000 tonnes of LNG.
Among these 22 stranded vessels, four are carrying crude oil and one is carrying LNG.
Officials also said that India has received requests from neighboring countries for higher supplies of petrol and diesel, but the government will consider them only after ensuring that domestic demand is met and that there is a supply shortage in the country. Requests for further exports have been received from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
