India is preparing for the fallout of the war between Iran and the US-Israel as it has invoked emergency powers under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to direct the public and private refiners to augment the production of the liquified petroleum gas (LPG), a domestic cooking gas widely used in India.

According to a report by Reuters, citing the order, the government has instructed the refiners to prioritise production of LPG over other petrochemical products.

"The Indian government has passed an order to all public and private refiners to produce more LPG and not divert or utilise propane and butane for other petrochemical products," the government sources were cited by a Money Control report as saying.

The Essential Commodities Act, 1955, empowers the Central government to direct companies, both public and private, to increase production of essential commodities in the wake of potential supply shortages.

As per the order, companies refining oil must ensure that propane and butane, the two main components used to produce LPG, are utilised entirely for the production of domestic gas.

ALSO READ: 'Iran Unambiguous, Address Those Who Started Fire': Pezeshkian Clears Stand On International Mediation Attempts To End War

Following the production, the fuel must then be supplied only to the three public sector oil marketing companies, named Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).

The directive was issued on March 5 and reportedly states that refining firms must not divert propane or butane for other petrochemical products manufacturing, warning that violation of the directive could invite action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the Petroleum Products (Maintenance of Production, Storage and Supply) Order, 1999, and other applicable laws.

The order further added that it came into effect with immediate effect and will remain in force until the Central government issues further instructions.

ALSO READ: 'Oil At $150, Global GDP To Be Strongly Hit': Qatar Minister Sounds Alarms As Middle East War Threatens Global Supply

India was world's second-biggest importer of LPG last year as it consumed 33.15 million metric tons of cooking gas. Imports account for ⁠about two-thirds of LPG consumption, with the Middle East making up about 85–90% of that supply.