Showing a Wild Identity Card will get a 5-kg cylinder, sufficient crude oil reserves available in the country: Government

The government has taken a significant step towards meeting the LPG needs of workers and students from other states, providing them with greater convenience. The government has announced that anyone can now obtain a cylinder from an LPG distributor by showing their Aadhaar card, without the need for a residential proof.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a statement on Saturday, stating that in view of the crisis in West Asia, the government is making every possible effort to ensure the availability of petrol, diesel, and LPG. The public has been appealed to avoid panic buying of petrol and diesel, and unnecessary booking of LPG. The statement said that the use of PNG is being promoted, and since last month, gas supply has been started to over 3.5 lakh new connections. It has also been decided to increase the gas supply to fertilizer plants from Monday, taking the average consumption to 90 percent.

With the cooperation of the states, action is being taken against hoarding and black marketing of LPG, and on Friday, raids were conducted at over 3,700 locations. The government has also informed that the ship "Green Savvy" carrying 46,650 tons of LPG cargo has crossed the Strait of Hormuz. The return of over 1,320 Indian sailors stranded in West Asia has been ensured, and the Indian missions there are helping citizens through a helpline.

The government has advised people to use alternative fuels like PNG, induction, and electric cooktops as much as possible. Alternative options like coal and kerosene have also been provided to reduce pressure on LPG. Coal India and Singareni Collieries have been directed to supply more coal to states so that small and medium-sized consumers can get fuel.

State-owned oil companies have been directed to conduct sudden inspections to prevent hoarding, and so far, over 1,000 LPG distributors have been issued 'show-cause' notices for violating rules, while 27 distributors have been suspended. The government says that despite the current geopolitical situation, there is no shortage of LPG, and on Friday, around 51 lakh domestic cylinders were distributed.

The government has also stated that the supply of gas to urea plants is now stable at around 75-70 percent of the average consumption over the past six months. From Monday, the gas supply to fertilizer plants will be increased to around 90 percent, considering the available reserves and the schedule of LNG cargo arrivals. Additionally, the supply to other industrial and commercial sectors, including CGD networks, will also be increased by 10 percent.

All industrial consumers, including fertilizer plants, have been advised to inform their additional requirements immediately so that gas marketing companies can make arrangements. To address concerns over the availability of commercial LPG, PNG connections are being given priority in commercial establishments like restaurants, hotels, and canteens. Since March 2026, gas supply has been started in over 3.5 lakh PNG connections, and over 3.8 lakh new consumers have been registered.

The government has reiterated that all refineries are operating at full capacity, and there is a sufficient stock of crude oil. There are also sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel in India. The production of LPG from refineries has been increased, considering domestic consumption. All states and union territories have been allocated an additional 48,000 kiloliters of kerosene, apart from their regular quota.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is closely monitoring the movement of ships, port operations, and the safety of Indian sailors to ensure the continuity of maritime trade. The ministry has stated that all Indian sailors in the West Asia region are safe, and no incident related to Indian-flagged ships has been reported in the last 24 hours. The LPG-laden ship "Green Savvy" with 46,650 tons of cargo and 25 crew members has safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

There are currently 17 Indian-flagged ships in the western region of the Gulf, with 460 Indian sailors on board. The Directorate General of Shipping is actively monitoring the situation in coordination with the shipowners, agencies, and Indian missions. Indian missions in West Asia are in constant touch with the community and issuing necessary guidelines for their safety.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, a group of Indian fishermen stranded in Iran is returning home via Armenia on Saturday, and their flight is expected to arrive by evening. The ministry is closely monitoring the situation in the Gulf and West Asia, where the safety of Indians is the top priority. The ministry has also stated that flight operations are improving, and since February 28, around 6,75,000 Indian citizens have returned home.

Meanwhile, five Indian citizens were injured in an attack in Abu Dhabi, out of which four have been discharged from the hospital, and one is still undergoing treatment. The diplomatic mission is providing full assistance in the matter and is in touch with local authorities.