Government Takes Major Step to Address Gas Crisis: PNG to Reach Every Household Soon..

In view of the rising demand for LPG in the country and the resulting pressure on supply, the Central Government has taken a significant step. States have now been directed to approve new applications related to the installation of pipelines (PNG) within 24 hours. The government aims to encourage as many people as possible to switch from LPG cylinders to piped gas, thereby alleviating the pressure on domestic gas supplies.

The government has written to all states, instructing them to immediately resolve all pending cases related to pipeline installations. Furthermore, new applications are to be approved without any delay. To streamline this process, it has also been recommended that "road restoration charges" (fees for refilling roads after excavation) be waived. Additionally, states have been asked to appoint a nodal officer in each state to ensure proper coordination and prevent delays in the work.

LPG Supply Status
During a press conference, the Ministry of Petroleum stated that the availability of crude oil in the country remains normal, and there is no shortage of petrol or diesel. While the LPG supply situation is indeed under some pressure, no distributor has yet faced a complete depletion of gas stocks. Gas supplies to domestic consumers are continuing as usual.

Enforcement Measures Continue
The government stated that continuous raids are being conducted across the country to curb the black marketing of gas. In Delhi, approximately 600 cylinders have been seized. In Uttar Pradesh, 10 individuals were arrested during hundreds of inspections and raids. Large-scale enforcement actions have also been undertaken in states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh, where thousands of cylinders have been seized. Teams from Oil Marketing Companies are also conducting continuous inspections.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated that inspection teams have conducted a total of 12,000 raids so far and seized 15,000 cylinders. She appealed to the public to refrain from panic-booking LPG cylinders and to opt for online booking instead.

Commercial LPG and Alternatives
To ensure a smooth supply of commercial gas, several states have issued new orders. A high-level committee is reviewing the issues associated with this supply. Additionally, to alleviate pressure on LPG, the usage of alternatives such as kerosene and coal is being increased. States including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka have issued orders regarding the allocation of kerosene.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.