The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Monday said fuel and LPG supplies across the country remain adequate despite disruptions in the global energy supply chain, while urging citizens to reduce fuel consumption and adopt energy-saving practices.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery) in the ministry, said crude oil inventories are stable, refineries are functioning at optimum levels and there have been no reports of shortages at fuel retail outlets or LPG distributorships.
“There have been disruptions in the global energy supply chain across the world. Significant price volatility is being observed in the international market. However, the Government of India has taken several effective measures and has strived to ensure that fuel supplies are maintained for the common consumer with minimal inconvenience,” Sharma said.
She said the government’s interventions have ensured uninterrupted availability of petrol, diesel and cooking gas across the country.
“Our crude oil inventory remains well-maintained. Our refineries are operating at optimum levels. There are no instances of dry-outs at any retail outlets. Nor have any dry-outs been reported at LPG distributorships,” Sharma said.
According to the ministry, more than 1.26 crore domestic LPG cylinders were delivered over the last three days against 1.14 crore bookings. Commercial LPG sales crossed 17,000 tonnes during the same period, while Auto LPG sales exceeded 762 tonnes.
The ministry also reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to citizens to conserve energy and reduce dependence on imported fuel and commodities.
Also read: Oil firms losing ₹20 on petrol, ₹100 on diesel
Sharma urged people to use public transport wherever possible, opt for carpooling, increase reliance on railways for transportation of goods and encourage the use of electric vehicles.
“Let us all come together and make every possible effort to conserve energy in our daily lives, so that the economic burden currently weighing upon the nation may be alleviated,” she said.
Speaking at an event in Secunderabad on Sunday, Modi had appealed to citizens to adopt measures such as work from home where feasible, reduce petrol and diesel consumption, avoid foreign travel for a year and prioritise the use of domestic products.
He had also called for reduced consumption of edible oil, a shift towards natural farming and lower dependence on imported fertilisers, arguing that such steps would help conserve foreign exchange and reduce external vulnerabilities.
The Prime Minister further stressed the need to cut India’s dependence on fuel imports by promoting public transport and electric mobility.
Follow us
