The Central Government has moved into “action mode” to ensure that the country does not face any fuel shortage, holding a high-level meeting with senior officials from all states and Union Territories on Thursday (April 2).
The special meeting, convened by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, focused on maintaining uninterrupted supplies of petrol, diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) across the country.
During the meeting, the Petroleum Secretary stated that fuel supply in the country remains normal and that the government is continuously monitoring the situation. Several preventive measures have already been implemented to avoid any disruption in the supply chain.
The Centre specifically directed states to prioritize LPG cylinder distribution to ensure that domestic consumers and essential services do not face difficulties. Authorities were also instructed to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding, black marketing, and the spread of misinformation related to fuel availability.
Officials appreciated enforcement actions taken by states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, where raids have been conducted and measures introduced to curb black marketing. Other states were advised to intensify similar enforcement efforts.
Regarding LPG availability, the government clarified that there is no shortage of gas supply for migrant workers and that distribution remains stable nationwide. States were also asked to consider wider distribution of smaller 5-kilogram LPG cylinders (FTL LPG) to improve accessibility for a larger population.
The government is additionally working to meet LPG demand for auto-rickshaws. Vehicles capable of operating on both petrol and LPG are currently being encouraged to use petrol to ease pressure on LPG supplies.
Reassuring citizens, the Petroleum Secretary stated that India has adequate fuel reserves and urged states to maintain continuous monitoring to ensure that the public does not face any inconvenience.
