Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 14: The Government of India on Friday said all oil refineries in the country are operating at full capacity and there is adequate crude inventory despite concerns arising from the ongoing tensions in West Asia.
During an inter-ministerial briefing, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, said domestic supplies of piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles are being maintained without any cuts.
She said there are about 1.5 crore consumers of PNG across the country and supply is being ensured for all users.
On LPG availability, Sharma said the situation is being closely monitored. While the government considers it an area of concern, she clarified that none of the country’s 25,000 LPG distributors have run out of stock.
Around 50 lakh LPG cylinders are currently being delivered daily across India, she said, urging people not to believe rumours or resort to panic buying.
Sharma added that authorities are taking strict action against cases of black marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders. She also noted that domestic production of LPG has increased by nearly 30 percent.
Meanwhile, India has conveyed to Iran the importance of ensuring uninterrupted transit of energy supplies and goods amid the current regional situation.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday.
During the conversation, Modi emphasised New Delhi’s priority regarding the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in the region, including those residing in Iran.
The government also said that port operations across India remain stable. A Standard Operating Procedure has been issued for all major ports and State Maritime Boards to ensure smooth coordination with shipping lines and exporters, along with time-bound grievance redressal.