There is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the country… What did the Petroleum Minister say about the crisis?

New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing war in the Middle East, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri made a major statement in Parliament on Thursday. He stated that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, and kerosene in the country. He stated that there is 100% supply and no problem. The Petroleum Minister explained that the Israel-Iran conflict has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s crude, gas, and LPG passes. Despite this, India’s crude oil supply is secure as India has increased its dependence on non-Hormuz sources to 70% and is now purchasing oil from 40 countries.

On the LPG shortage, Puri stated that LPG production has been increased by 28% in the last five days. Domestic supplies are completely secure, and the standard time from booking to delivery remains at 2.5 days. He stated that to prevent hoarding and panic booking, a minimum booking period of 25 days has been implemented in urban areas and 45 days in rural/remote areas. Furthermore, OTP (One Time Code)-based delivery authentication is being expanded from 50% to 90% of consumers to prevent unauthorized diversion.

Prioritization of Domestic Supply
The Petroleum Minister stated that under the Natural Gas Control Order issued on March 9, 2026, domestic piped gas and CNG have been prioritized with 100% supply. Industries have been ensured 80% supply and fertilizer plants 70% supply. Hospitals and educational institutions have also been prioritized for uninterrupted LPG supply.

Government Bearing Additional Costs
The Union Minister stated that despite the significant increase in global prices, the government has protected Indian consumers. The price of a cylinder for Ujjwala (PMUY) beneficiaries in Delhi is ₹603, while prices in neighboring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal are much higher. The government is absorbing a significant portion of the additional cost from the global market. To ease the pressure on LPG, industries and the hotel/restaurant sector have been permitted to use alternative fuels such as biomass, RDF pellets, and kerosene for one month.