Hardeep Singh Puri speaks in the Lok Sabha during the budget session of Parliament

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri Telling the Lok Sabha on Thursday that India is well prepared to manage the disruption in global energy supplies caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, he assured MPs that domestic fuel availability and power generation is completely secure, while also urging them to avoid rumours.Addressing the House amid protests by opposition members, Puri said the government has ensured adequate production and alternative supply arrangements to maintain energy needs even as the conflict continues. “India has adequate gas production and supply system to sustain this situation even in the event of a prolonged conflict. Power generation for every household and industry is completely safe,” Puri said.The Union minister said the hostilities have effectively shut down commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that typically transports about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil, natural gas and LPG. Despite the disruption, as about 45 percent of India’s crude oil imports previously went through this route, the country has managed to stabilize supplies by increasing alternative sourcing. He noted that “Non-Hormuz sourcing has increased to approximately 70 percent of crude oil imports, up from 55 percent before the conflict began.”Puri attributed the resilience partly to long-term diversification of crude oil suppliers, noting that India now imports oil from 40 countries, whereas in 2006-07 it imported from 27 countries. He assured the House that “there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is completely assured,” adding that domestic refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation, in some cases “more than 100 per cent”.He urged public and political stakeholders to avoid spreading misinformation during the ongoing energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict, and stressed that the government’s preparedness and response mechanisms are working effectively. “This is not the time for rumor mongering or fake narratives. India is facing the most severe global energy disruption in recorded history. Fuel supplies are flowing, gas has been prioritized for homes and farms, and LPG production has increased by 28%. Consumer prices are being held well below those otherwise set by market trends and regional competitors. Schools are open and petrol is available at fuel stations… India must unite behind energy workers, behind the institutions managing the crisis, and behind the national interest. The record of preparation and the record of response speaks for itself,” he said.On natural gas supply, the minister said the government has introduced a priority allocation system under the Natural Gas Control Order issued on March 9. While a major facility in Qatar has declared force majeure on 30 MMSCMD gas imports, domestic production is stable at 90 MMSCMD.“Domestic piped gas for homes and CNG for vehicles receive 100 per cent supply without any cut. Industrial and manufacturing consumers will receive up to 80 per cent of their last six month average. Fertilizer plants will receive up to 70 per cent, thereby protecting the agricultural input chain ahead of the sowing season. Refineries and petrochemical units absorb the managed reductions, with that gas redirected to higher-priority sectors. I am happy to tell the House that the shortfall has been compensated to a large extent through alternative procurement,” Puri said.The government has also taken steps to secure LPG availability for approximately 33 crore families. According to the minister, domestic LPG production has increased by 28 percent in the last five days following the refinery instructions. To curb hoarding and control demand, authorities have introduced a minimum gap of 25 days between LPG cylinder bookings in urban areas and expanded the delivery authentication code system to cover 90 per cent of consumers.Puri also clarified that the distribution cycle of domestic LPG will remain unaffected. “Domestic supply is completely secure, and the delivery cycle is unchanged. The standard time from booking to delivery for domestic LPG cylinders is 2.5 days, unchanged from pre-crisis norms,” ​​he said.To further reduce pressure on gas supplies, the government has activated alternative fuel options. Kerosene is being made available through Public Distribution System channels, while the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has “advised State Pollution Control Boards to allow the use of biomass, RDF pellets and kerosene/coal as alternative fuels for the hospitality and restaurant segment for 1 month, for the duration of this crisis, which will enable a wide range of establishments to switch to LPG and free up space for priority consumers.”