LPG Supply Shortage: As the West Asia Conflict continues to put pressure on fuel supplies, people in India expressed their concerns about the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders. However, the government stepped up to deal with the situation, saying the country is fully prepared. On Tuesday, the Centre invoked the Essential Commodities Act (EC Act ) to ensure an uninterrupted supply of domestic cooking gas, directing refineries and petrochemical units to maximise production of l LPG and divert key hydrocarbon streams to the LPG pool.

However, a few states flagged the issue, expressing their concerns over the prevailing situation, and they sought the Centre's help.

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Pradeep Shetty, VP, FHRAI & spokesperson, Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) said the shortage of commercial LPG has become extremely serious over the past week, with intermittent disruptions escalating into a near complete halt in supply in several regions since yesterday.

Following the 5th March notification by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, there has been considerable confusion among suppliers and distributors, many of whom have stopped supplying commercial LPG cylinders to hotels, restaurants and food service establishments, he added.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene to ensure the smooth supply of LPG cylinders. The Chief Minister also raised concerns over the safety of Tamils living across Gulf countries. Stalin, this morning, held a review meeting to assess the possible impact of the ongoing US- Iran conflict on Tamil Nadu and to chart the necessary response measures.

Meanwhile, Tamilnadu Traders Union Federation, also raised concern over the ongoing LPG shortage affecting hotels and small food businesses across Tamil Nadu. The Chennai Hotels Association has also appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders needed for the food industry.

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Karnataka

In Karnataka, hotel association leaders are facing problems and asking for government intervention. Santosh Malnad, Director, Hotel Owners Association. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah also wrote to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and requested his intervention to ensure adequate commercial LPG supply is made available to hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments. BJP's Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya wrote to Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, flagging concerns over a potential shortage of gas cylinders and asking that a continued supply is maintained for the hospitality sector.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra's Mumbai and Pune are also facing a shortage of LPG. Sujit, the owner of Marathi Tadka hotel, Dadar, said, “Currently, we are facing LPG shortage because of the conflict, which is affecting our business. The vendors who used to supply us with LPG gas are now saying that it is not available. How will we run our business in this situation? We are discussing it, but we request the government to come up with some solution.”

The gas-based crematorium furnaces operated by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in Pune, Maharashtra, will be temporarily closed following directives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. This decision comes as the ministry has prioritised propane and butane supplies for domestic LPG consumption due to a crisis in the Middle East.

Centre's Response To LPG Shortage

By invoking the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), the Centre stepped up to ensure an uninterrupted supply of piped natural gas for household kitchens, LPG and CNG for transport on top priority amid disruption in supplies due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

(With agencies inputs)

 


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