Amid concerns over LPG shortage, the government on Thursday said that India is diversifying LPG procurement and taking liquefied petroleum gas from the US as well.
Addressing the daily briefing, Sujata Sharma, joint secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that LPG is still an issue of concern, however online bookings have increased to 94%.
"Due to the ongoing war, the situation remains a matter of concern.However, there is no dry-out reported at any distributorship. Online bookings have further increased to 94 percent. There has been a decline in panic bookings, and yesterday approximately 57 lakh refill bookings were received. LPG cylinder delivery is proceeding normally."
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She further added that the crude situation and refinery operations remain normal, and no dry out has been reported.
"Domestic PNG and CNG are being supplied 100%. Request users to shift from LPG to PNG. In the last 3 days, more than 5,600 LPG users have shifted to PNG."
Further stating that anything that impacts the Middle East will impact us, Sharma said, "We're trying to pick up cargo from other sources. 70% crude coming from non-Hormuz sources."
Meanwhile, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said that all Indian-flagged vessels and seafarers remain safe.
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"There are 22 vessels in the West of the Strait of Hormuz. In the last 24 hours, over 16 Indian seafarers have returned to India after completion of their sign-off formalities. The ministry is closely tracking shipping movements and the evolving situation in West Asia."
Govt On Raids
The officials said that the government wrote another letter to all states, requesting them to take all necessary steps to prevent black marketing and hoarding, and yesterday 6,000 raids were carried out against black marketers.
"1,100 raids were conducted in UP and 1000 cylinders were ceased.1,632 raids were conducted in MP and 2,300 cylinders were ceased."
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