File photo: PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Amid the deepening Middle East crisis, PM Narendra Modi Thursday chaired what was the fourth special meeting of the cabinet committee on security (CCS) and directed establishment of a mechanism to provide timely information, emergency assistance and counselling to seafarers, serving on both domestic and foreign-flagged vessels, and their families.”The PM said all efforts must be made to safeguard citizens as well as the Indian diaspora from the impact of this conflict,” an official statement said. It added that Modi also addressed issues related to fertilisers, energy and safety of Indian diaspora and seafarers, while calling for a whole-of-government approach to tackle the challenges.The release said the meeting also assessed the fertiliser requirement for the ensuing rabi season and discussed alternative sources of fertilisers. “PM said that all measures be taken for ensuring uninterrupted supply of fertilisers,” it said.Persons familiar with the discussion said fertiliser stock was 30-35% higher than last year and there was no reason for any concern.
PM urges energy independence amid W Asia crisis
Similarly, in the case of gas as well as crude oil, supplies were more than adequate, with cabinet secretary T V Somanathan in a presentation underlining that government’s strategy to diversify the sources had helped mitigate the risk. “Availability of adequate crude oil has enabled central public sector enterprise refineries to operate at utilisation levels exceeding 100%, ensuring continued production of petrol, diesel and other petroleum products. Initiatives have also been taken to expand PNG connections which have resulted in substantial increase in PNG connections,” it said.
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Besides, it said, government was also facilitating industrial substitution of LPG through expansion of the National Gas Grid, augmentation of LNG import and regasification infrastructure, expansion of city gas distribution networks, faster approvals for expansion of the pipeline infrastructure.PM stressed to ensure energy independence, emphasis should be made on renewable energy sources, including solar energy and other non-fossil-fuel based sources. The meeting took place amid escalation on multiple fronts in the Middle East region, including fresh US-Iran strikes and maritime and energy disruptions.“PM said a whole of government approach be continued to be adopted to tackle the challenges arising due to the crisis. He said that a unified coordinated mechanism be put in place for regular monitoring of all the developments to ensure expeditious implementation of appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of the citizens.”
