The government today said that domestic LPG supply is stable across the country, with no dry-outs reported at distributorships, amid disruptions triggered by the ongoing West Asia crisis. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing in New Delhi, Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, said that the Government is taking several important steps for effective management, such as increasing domestic LPG production, extending the booking period in both urban and rural areas, and implementing a delivery authentication code to prevent diversion.
She noted that the government aimed to raise the delivery authentication code (DAC) usage to 90 per cent, but it has already reached 92 per cent. She added that Commercial supplies have also been restored up to 70 per cent. According to data from the past five days, Sales of 5 kg cylinders have also increased. Since April 3, around 7 thousand awareness camps have been organised, leading to the sale of approximately one lakh 5 kg cylinders.
Director of Ports and Shipping Ministry Mandeep Singh Randhawa informed that the Indian-flagged crude tanker, Deshgarima, carrying over 97 thousand metric ton crude oil, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on the 18th of this month.
He added that in the past 48 hours, two Indian vessels, VLCC Sanmar Herald and bulk carrier Jag Arnav, reported a firing incident while transcending strait of Hormuz and returning to the Persian Gulf. He said that no injury has been reported to any crew and assured that the Ministry is in close and continuous contact with the crew and monitoring the situation.
Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Assem R. Mahajan, said that the Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia region and the Government’s efforts are focused on ensuring the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community in the region. He said the Ministry is in constant touch with state governments and Union Territories for information sharing.
Mr Mahajan added that the Ministry’s dedicated control room remains operational and is working in coordination with Indian missions to provide timely assistance and address queries.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Saudi Arabia yesterday and held meetings with his counterpart, the energy and Foreign Minister, and exchanged views and reviewed the regional situation and bilateral ties.
Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development Amit Shukla said that the Ministry has undertaken a comprehensive review of preparedness measures to ensure the uninterrupted implementation of major rural welfare and infrastructure programmes across the country.
He underlined that the primary focus of the government is on uninterrupted employment, timely fund flow, housing construction, rural roads and livelihood security despite global uncertainties.
Mr Shukla further said that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005 is fully operational till the commencement of the proposed VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 and assured that there will be no disruption in the provision of wage employment to rural households.
