New Delhi, 11 June (H.S.): The Central Government on Thursday said that despite the ongoing crisis in West Asia, the supply of crude oil, petrol, diesel, LPG, and natural gas across India remains stable and uninterrupted. The government also stated that refineries are operating at full capacity to ensure adequate availability of petroleum products.

Addressing an inter-ministerial press briefing in New Delhi, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that while reports have indicated increased demand at some retail fuel outlets, oil marketing companies are working continuously to maintain smooth and uninterrupted supplies throughout their distribution networks.

She said that over the past three days, approximately 14 million bookings for domestic cooking LPG cylinders were received, against which nearly 14.9 million deliveries had already been completed.

Sharma further informed that during the same period, around 22,340 tonnes of commercial LPG cylinders were sold, while nearly 191,000 units of 5-kg LPG cylinders were also supplied. She noted that sales continue to remain high at certain retail outlets, but government-owned oil marketing companies are making every effort to ensure that supplies remain seamless across the country.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that several incidents involving Indian seafarers in West Asia have come to light in recent days. He emphasized that the Government of India attaches the highest importance to the welfare and safety of the maritime community.

Referring to a recent incident, Jaiswal said India had condemned the attack on a vessel near the coast of Oman, in which three Indian nationals tragically lost their lives. He stated that India had conveyed its strong protest to the United States Chargé d’Affaires regarding the incident.

He added that the continuing attacks on commercial vessels in the region are deeply concerning and are a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict in the area. Such attacks, he said, must cease immediately. India continues to advocate dialogue and diplomacy to ensure the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Asim R. Mahajan, said the government's primary focus remains the safety and well-being of the Indian community in the region.

He stated that the Centre is in constant contact with state governments and Union Territories to share information and take necessary measures whenever required. Indian embassies and consulates, he said, are actively assisting members of the community by operating 24x7 helplines, maintaining close coordination with local authorities, and issuing regular advisories regarding travel, regulations, consular services, and welfare-related matters.

Meanwhile, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Aparna S. Sharma, said that fertilizer stocks in the country remain at comfortable levels.

She noted that fertilizer availability across the country currently stands at around 51 per cent above requirement levels. According to Sharma, long-term supply agreements for both raw materials and finished fertilizers have played a significant role in ensuring supply security.

She added that India also benefits from several joint ventures abroad and is actively engaging, through its diplomatic missions, with countries outside the Strait of Hormuz region to secure additional supplies of raw materials and finished fertilizers.

Sharma further stated that fertilizer sales have continued at a normal pace. Farmers across the country have purchased approximately 11.38 lakh metric tonnes of organic manure and other fertilizers, reflecting steady demand from the agricultural sector.

The government reiterated that it is closely monitoring developments in West Asia and remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted supplies of essential fuels, energy resources, and agricultural inputs across the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar