Government bars LPG supply access for consumers with piped gas connections

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Saturday said consumers with piped natural gas (PNG) connections will no longer be allowed to retain, obtain or refill domestic LPG cylinders under an amended supply order.The ministry, in amendment order, said that it will bar government-run oil marketing companies from issuing new LPG connections or refills to consumers who already have PNG connections. "No person having a Piped Natural Gas connection and also having domestic LPG connection shall retain a domestic LPG connection, or take refills of domestic LPG cylinders from any Government oil company, or through their distributors. Such persons will be required to immediately surrender their domestic LPG connection," it said. "No person having a Piped Natural Gas connection, shall obtain a domestic LPG connection, or take refills of domestic LPG cylinders from any Government oil company, or through their distributors," it further clarified. This comes amid concerns around LPG availability concerns across the country as supply is disrupted amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and US, Israel. The govt, however, has assured stable supply in multiple statements in the past few days. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on Saturday, joint secretary (marketing & oil refinery) Sujata Sharma said assured, “As far as crude oil and refineries are concerned, we have a sufficient supply of crude and our refineries are operating at full capacity. There have been no reports of any dry-out at retail outlets. Adequate petrol and diesel are available."She added that India does not need to import petrol and diesel at present. “We produce enough petrol and diesel in the country according to our requirements, and therefore there is no need for us to import them,” Sharma said.Additionally, the govt also confirmed that two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz early Saturday and are now on course for ports in Gujarat.LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are heading to Mundra and Kandla, respectively, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping, said at the media briefing. The ships are carrying a combined 92,700 tonne of LPG and are expected to dock at Indian ports on March 16 or 17.