Regarding the LPG crisis arising due to global supply disruption, the Central Government has intensified efforts to bring the situation under control. Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi on Thursday said new avenues are being opened to ensure additional LPG supply to India and continuous efforts are being made to control the crisis.
What did the minister say on the revelation of supply related issues?
The minister said that Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had answered questions related to the LPG crisis in Parliament on Wednesday. He said that some supply-related issues cannot be disclosed publicly due to diplomatic sensitivities, especially those related to the Strait of Hormuz. Gopi said that Prime Minister Modi, while talking to various countries, has raised the issue that the crisis related to the Strait of Hormuz is impacting the lives of common people and has requested for some relief or relaxation for India. He said that exact figures cannot be shared, but ways are being made to provide additional LPG to India.
Who is being given priority in the current situation?
According to the minister, in the current situation, priority is being given to emergency services in the supply of gas. Gas is being provided to essential services like hospitals and crematoriums first so that essential operations are not affected. He said that as per the ministry’s assessment, the situation is currently under control, although India does not have direct control over many technical and supply-related aspects happening at the international level. Gopi also said that the LPG crisis is impacting everyday life not only in India but also in many other countries.
What did the minister say on gas prices?
On the question of gas prices, the minister said that a regulatory system is in place to control prices and steps are taken accordingly. He said that the right to decide the price of petroleum products has been given to the public sector oil companies. He said that the Strait of Hormuz is very strategically important for India, but India cannot go to war with any country on this issue. Gopi said that he himself and most of the people of the country are not in favor of war. On reports of restaurants and other businesses being closed due to gas shortage, he said that the government is trying to find solutions and efforts are being made to reopen them soon. He said that people need to exercise restraint in crisis situations, as was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.