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War-driven fuel shock hits fast in India as urban poor struggle with LPG costs, forcing labourers in tenements to rely on black market cylinders and making home cooking increasingly unaffordable
Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd on Saturday said supply of LPG cylinders to certain parts of its store network has been constrained due to the geopolitical situation in West Asia. The company, which operates fast-food chains, including Domino's Pizza and Dunkin' Donuts, said it is taking several steps to conserve LPG and working overtime to move to alternate energy sources like electricity and piped natural gas (PNG). "...we wish to inform that due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East, there are supply constraints on the distribution of commercial LPG across the country," Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd (JFL) said in a regulatory filing. Consequently, JFL said, "The supply of LPG cylinders to certain parts of the company's store network has been constrained." Operational impact at this stage is limited and being actively managed, it added. The company further said it is "taking several steps to conserve LPG and working overtime to move to alternate energy sources like electricity
The India-flagged vessels BW Tyr and BW Elm, carrying liquefied petroleum gas, were last tracked moving past the northern edge of the Omani peninsula
Responding to criticism of the government's handling of the crisis, he said the Centre has shouldered the financial burden to shield citizens by slashing excise duty on oil products
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the global situation arising out of the West Asia conflict remains dynamic, and asserted that maintaining economic and trade stability, ensuring energy security, strengthening industry and supply chains, and safeguarding citizens' interests remain the government's top priorities. Chairing a meeting of chief ministers virtually, Modi said the situation necessitates continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies, as he called for constant communication and coordination between the Centre and the states, along with timely sharing of information and joint decision-making, so that the responses are swift and well-aligned. Urging the chief ministers to ensure the smooth functioning of supply chains and to take strict measures against hoarding and profiteering, Modi cautioned against the spread of misinformation and rumours, asserting that timely dissemination of accurate and credible information is essential to prevent panic. Referring to the ...
The oil ministry had allotted 40 per cent of the pre-crisis commercial LPG quota to states through three separate directives earlier this month
India sends humanitarian aid to Iran while seeking safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz and pushing for Brics consensus amid the West Asia conflict
The central government has increased commercial LPG allocations to states by 20 per cent, raising the quota to 70 per cent of pre-war demand to meet industrial requirements, including steel and automobiles. In a letter to state chief secretaries, Oil Secretary Neeraj Mittal directed that the additional supply be prioritised for labour-intensive industries such as steel, automobiles, textiles, dyes, chemicals, and plastics, which support other essential sectors. "In addition to the existing 50 per cent allocation, an additional 20 per cent is now proposed, that would bring the total commercial LPG allocation to 70 per cent of the pre-crisis level of the packed non-domestic LPG," he wrote.
Elevated global crude and gas prices may affect India's FY27 fiscal position, though buffers such as expenditure savings and fiscal tools could help manage pressures, ICRA said
The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD), to ensure faster laying of PNG pipelines, has decided to approve road-cutting permission within 24 hours from receiving the request, an official order said on Thursday. The PWD, which is the main road owning agency in the national capital, has also waived off road restoration charges for three months, in a fresh order issued. "It is further directed that permission for road cutting for laying of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) pipelines shall be accorded within 24 hours of receipt of a complete request, along with directions to commence the work immediately," the order said. The road restoration charges applicable for laying of IGL pipelines for PNG connections are hereby waived for a period of three months up to June 30, 2026, it added. The road restoration charge is levied by the road-owning agency on any service provider cutting a road or footpath to lay down the lines. "In view of the prevailing circumstances and in public interest, the
The cost of the Indian basket, however, has increased more sharply to over $156 per barrel due to disruptions in supplies from West Asia
The demand for LPG cylinders had risen to 89 lakh due to panic ordering by consumers and has now come down to 50 lakh cylinders again
The highway ministry has introduced a fast-track approval framework for CGD infrastructure, cutting timelines to boost PNG and CNG expansion amid LPG supply constraints
State-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) is planning new tenders to procure half a million induction cookstoves in two phases to meet the rising demand for e-cooking appliances, official sources said on Thursday. This move assumes significance in view of the West Asia crisis, which has hit LPG and the country's natural gas supplies. EESL has recently awarded a tender for one lakh induction cookstoves to cater to the rising demand and has also conducted the tender for induction-compatible utensils, after initial feedback from various state governments and customers, the official sources said. "Looking at the overwhelming response of demand in the current market, EESL plans to float a fresh tender of over half a million pieces after consuming the current vendor's quantity," the sources told PTI. EESL had launched the National Electric Cooking Program (NECP) in 2023. Recently, there has been a sharp spike in electric induction stove prices due to surging demand amid an LPG .
India has about 60 days of fuel stock cover, the government said on Thursday, adding that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG as it dismissed reports of shortages as a "deliberate misinformation campaign" aimed at triggering panic buying. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said all petrol pumps across the country are adequately stocked and operating normally, with no rationing of petrol or diesel. India, the world's fourth-largest refiner and fifth-largest exporter of petroleum products, has structurally assured domestic fuel availability and continues to supply refined fuels to over 150 countries, the ministry said in a statement. "Every Indian refinery (which turn crude oil into fuels like petrol and diesel) is running at over 100 per cent utilisation," it said. "Crude oil supplies for next 60 days have already been tied up by Indian oil companies. There is no supply gap." India, it said, has 74 days of total crude oil and fuel stocking capacity. "Actual stock
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday assured people that there is no need to stand in queues for cooking gas cylinders, assuring them that LPG will continue to be delivered at homes according to the booking schedule. Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of a Software Technology Park in the Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA) area, Adityanath urged people not to rush to gas agencies or fuel stations unnecessarily. "Book your LPG cylinder as per requirement and it will be delivered to your doorstep in due course. There is no need to stand in line outside agencies," he said. He also advised people to purchase petrol and diesel only when required, cautioning that queues at filling stations are being driven by rumours. "Some people are trying to create panic and disturb normalcy by spreading misinformation. The public should not pay heed to such rumours," he said. Referring to consumption patterns, the chief minister questioned why households that
The Central Consumer Protection Authority has barred restaurants from levying separate 'LPG charges' on bills, mandating that all operational fuel costs be integrated into menu pricing
India, the world's second-biggest crude steel producer, is in the midst of its worst LPG supply crisis in decades as shipments from key producers in the West Asia have been disrupted
The West Asia crisis has pushed freight costs for Europe-bound cargo up by 60-80 per cent, with exports falling by as much as 50 per cent for some exporters while hundreds of containers got stranded at Kolkata port, industry representatives said on Thursday. Calcutta Customs House Agents Association (CCHAA) president Mannu Choudhary told PTI that freight charges have risen by over 40 per cent due to rerouting through the African route, while war surcharges imposed by shipping lines have taken the total cost escalation to 70-80 per cent for shipments to Europe and the US. Exporters also complained of a shortage of containers. "Shipping lines are denying freight details to exporters, who are now waiting. No fresh containers are being accepted by shipping lines," he said. Choudhary said around 600 containers that had entered Kolkata port for loading were being returned to the city following last-minute cargo cancellations. Of these, around 400 have already been taken back, while the
Sources in the know said that the officials did a stock taking of the prevailing situation and will now regularly meet to further devise strategies and other response to the crisis