Assam Lifts Restrictions on Commercial LPG Supplies
Immediate Withdrawal of LPG Restrictions
A worker handles LPG cylinders at an Indane distribution centre. (Representational image)
Guwahati, Jun 25: The Chief Secretary of Assam, Ravi Kota, announced on Thursday that all limitations on commercial LPG cylinders have been lifted immediately.
Kota explained that this decision follows an improvement in the situation regarding the West Asia conflict. He shared this update via social media, noting that the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) has informed all states after assessing the current circumstances.
According to Kota, the Government of India has reviewed the temporary restrictions on LPG supply that were enacted during the recent crisis and has opted to restore commercial LPG supplies to their levels prior to the crisis.
Key directives from the MoPNG include the removal of restrictions on non-domestic (commercial) packed LPG and the resumption of supplies at pre-crisis levels, as stated by Kota.
He further mentioned that bulk LPG supplies could be reinstated up to 50% of the consumption levels seen before the crisis. Consumers who have access to PNG are encouraged to continue using it or transition to it as a long-term solution.
Kota also shared a letter from Neeraj Mittal, the Secretary of MoPNG, who had earlier communicated with all states and union territories regarding the withdrawal of these restrictions.
Mittal's correspondence emphasized the importance of maintaining a record of all commercial and industrial consumers in the databases of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
He instructed that a unified database should be kept across the three OMCs. Additionally, commercial or bulk customers who have transitioned to PNG should remain on that system.
For other LPG customers who can access PNG and are either shifting or planning to shift to the local PNG network, they should be permanently moved to PNG, as per Mittal's guidance.
He added that OMCs must ensure this transition to PNG occurs in collaboration with CGD entities.
In related news, crude oil futures saw a decline of Rs 80, settling at Rs 6,589 per barrel on Thursday, as improved prospects for a US-Iran agreement and increased shipments through crucial export routes alleviated fears of global supply disruptions.