Centre sets up 3-member panel to tackle LPG shortage; steps up domestic production by 10%

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Mar 11, 2026: Facing the possibility of an LPG shortage amid the Iran crisis, the government has directed refineries to increase production, resulting in a 10 per cent rise in gas reserves across the country, according to ministry sources on Tuesday.

Officials said there is “no shortage of gas reserves” for domestic consumers at the country’s refineries, adding that the potential short-term shortage has been addressed through increased production. To tackle issues related to LPG supply, the Centre has constituted a three-member committee, which has begun collecting public feedback and preparing strategies accordingly.

“The gas shortage is being diverted from the industrial sector. We are taking several crucial steps to offset any shortage, and unless the situation in West Asia becomes prolonged, our aim is to ensure that prices remain stable,” ministry officials said.

Responding to reports of difficulties with commercial cylinders, government sources said many commercial establishments have already shifted to induction cooking, though any remaining issues are being addressed.

Among the measures introduced, officials said the minimum gap between two LPG cylinder bookings for households has been increased from 21 days to 25 days. “Earlier, stocks would reach distributors within two and a half days. Even after the crisis began, the supply timeline remains the same. All refineries are currently operating at 100 per cent capacity, and around 60 lakh cylinders are supplied daily across the country,” sources said.

Officials also clarified that the Rs 60 increase per cylinder announced last week was not linked to the present crisis but was due to last year’s under-recovery.

Regarding fuel supplies, sources said 60 per cent of diesel and petrol earlier came from the Non-Harmony Zone, which later increased to 65 per cent and now stands at 70 per cent. The government has developed a supply chain management programme to deal with the situation.

To reduce dependence on the Middle East, which earlier accounted for around 40 per cent of India’s gas and petrol supply, the government has begun negotiations with other countries to secure alternative supplies.