New Delhi, May 18 (H.S.): The Government of India on Monday said that sufficient stocks of petrol, diesel, LPG, and natural gas are available across the country despite the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The Centre assured that there is no need for panic among LPG distributors, retail outlets, or consumers, as the supply of all essential fuels continues uninterrupted.
Addressing an inter-ministerial press briefing on developments in West Asia, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Sujata Sharma stated that there is no reason for concern among LPG distributors, fuel retail outlets, or consumers anywhere in the country, as the supply of all essential fuels remains normal.
She said the government has appealed to citizens not to indulge in panic buying and to purchase fuel only according to their requirements. Sharma added that every possible effort is being made to ensure the availability and timely delivery of petrol, diesel, and LPG across the country.
Citizens are also being encouraged to increasingly adopt alternative cooking fuels such as PNG, induction cooktops, and electric cooking appliances.
Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs Aseem R Mahajan informed reporters that the government is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia region, with special focus on ensuring the safety and welfare of the Indian community.
He said Indian embassies and consulates are operating round-the-clock helplines, coordinating with local authorities, and maintaining continuous contact with Indian community groups and companies across the region.
Mahajan further stated that Indian citizens have been advised against travelling to Iran. He added that, so far, 2,551 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran through land border routes with the assistance of the Indian Embassy.
Meanwhile, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Aparna S Sharma said that fertilizer availability across states for the upcoming Kharif season remains above 51 percent.
She informed that approximately 200.98 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of fertilizers are currently available across the country. At the same time, there has been no major change in the maximum retail prices (MRP) of key fertilizers.
Sharma added that domestic fertilizer production has remained significantly high following the crisis period, reaching 86.2 LMT, while nearly 22 LMT of imported fertilizers have already arrived at Indian ports.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
