Govt Eases LPG Supply Curbs For Industrial And Commercial Users

New Delhi, Jun 26 (KNN) The government has removed all sectoral restrictions on the supply of non-domestic packed LPG and restored supplies to pre-crisis levels for industrial and commercial consumers. 

Bulk LPG supply, which had been fully suspended at the onset of the West Asia crisis, has been partially relaxed to 50 per cent of pre-crisis consumption levels, according to a Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) release.

The restrictions had been imposed earlier to prioritise uninterrupted LPG availability for domestic household consumers amid global supply disruptions. 

Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) had been directed to restrict commercial packed LPG during the crisis, and C3-C4 petrochemical streams were diverted exclusively to LPG production under orders issued under the Essential Commodities Act.

C3-C4 Stream Diversion to Be Reduced

With indigenous LPG production improving and imported LPG cargo availability expected to rise, the government has decided to reduce the mandatory diversion of C3-C4 streams to the LPG pool. 

The enhanced allocation of these streams for petrochemical and other downstream uses will be implemented subject to the condition that aggregate domestic LPG production is maintained at no less than 40 thousand metric tonnes per day.

The Centre of High Technology under the MoPNG has been directed to issue organisation-wise allocations of the enhanced C3-C4 streams for petrochemical and other critical sectors and submit regular progress reports to the ministry.

Monitoring and PNG Transition to Continue

OMCs have been directed to maintain comprehensive data on commercial and industrial LPG consumers to support efficient planning. A unified sectoral database will also be maintained across OMCs to strengthen monitoring and operational coordination.

The government has reiterated its commitment to expanding piped natural gas (PNG) connectivity. Commercial and bulk consumers who have already transitioned to PNG will remain on it, while other eligible consumers with access to the PNG network will be progressively shifted to it in coordination with City Gas Distribution entities. 

The MoPNG Secretary has written to Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to ensure smooth implementation of the revised supply arrangements, the ministry said. 

(KNN Bureau)