Hardeep Singh Puri speaks in Lok Sabha during Budget session of Parliament
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri told Lok Sabha on Thursday that India remains well prepared to manage disruptions in global energy supplies triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict, assuring lawmakers that domestic fuel availability and power generation are fully protected, while urging to avoid rumours.Addressing the House amid protests from Opposition members, Puri said the government has ensured adequate production and alternative supply arrangements to sustain energy needs even if the conflict persists. “India has sufficient gas production and supply arrangements to sustain this position even in the event of a prolonged conflict. Power generation for every household and for industry is fully protected,” said Puri.
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The union minister added that the hostilities have effectively shut commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that typically carries about 20 per cent of the world’s crude oil, natural gas and LPG. Despite the disruption, with around 45 per cent of India’s crude imports earlier passing through the route, the country has managed to stabilise supplies by increasing alternative sourcing. He said that “Non-Hormuz sourcing has risen to approximately 70 per cent of crude imports, up from 55 per cent before the conflict began”. Puri attributed the resilience partly to long-term diversification of crude suppliers, noting that India now imports oil from 40 countries compared with 27 in 2006-07. He assured the House that “There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, kerosene, and fuel oil is fully assured,” adding that domestic refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation, in some cases “exceeding 100 per cent”.He furtherurged the public and political stakeholders to avoid spreading misinformation during the ongoing energy crisis triggered by the West Asia conflict, stressing that the government’s preparedness and response mechanisms are working effectively. “This is not the moment for rumour-mongering or fake narratives. India is navigating the most severe global energy disruption in recorded history. Fuel supply is flowing, gas is prioritised for homes and farms, and LPG production has been stepped up by 28%. Consumer prices are being held far below what market trends and regional competitors would otherwise dictate. Schools are open and petrol is available at fuel stations… India must stand united behind the energy workers, behind the institutions managing the crisis, and behind the national interest. The record of preparation and the record of response speak for themselves.” he said.On natural gas supplies, the minister said the government has introduced a prioritised allocation system under the Natural Gas Control Order issued on March 9. While a major facility in Qatar has declared force majeure on 30 MMSCMD of gas imports, domestic production remains steady at 90 MMSCMD.“Domestic piped gas to homes and CNG for vehicles receive 100 per cent supply with no cuts. Industrial and manufacturing consumers will receive upto 80 per cent of their previous six-month average. Fertiliser plants will receive upto 70 per cent, protecting the agricultural input chain ahead of the sowing season. Refineries and petrochemical units absorb a managed reduction, with that gas redirected to higher-priority sectors. I am pleased to inform the House that the shortfall has been substantially offset through alternative procurement,” Puri said.The government has also taken steps to safeguard LPG availability for around 33 crore households. According to the minister, domestic LPG output has been ramped up by 28 per cent in the past five days following refinery directives. To curb hoarding and regulate demand, authorities have introduced a minimum 25-day gap between LPG cylinder bookings in urban areas and expanded the Delivery Authentication Code system to cover 90 per cent of consumers.Puri also clarified that the delivery cycle for domestic LPG remains unaffected. “Domestic supply is fully protected, and the delivery cycle is unchanged. The standard time from booking to delivery for domestic LPG cylinders remains 2.5 days, unchanged from pre-crisis norms,” he said.To further reduce pressure on gas supplies, the government has activated alternate fuel options. Kerosene is being made available through public distribution system channels, while the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has “advised State Pollution Control Boards to permit, for the duration of this crisis period, the use of biomass, RDF pellets, and Kerosene/coal as alternate fuels for the hospitality and restaurant segment for 1 month, which would enable a wider range of establishments to switch and free up LPG for priority consumers,” Puri added. Go to Source
