Centre offers additional 10% allocation of commercial LPG to all States

In view of the ongoing situation in West Asia, the government has offered an additional 10 per cent allocation of commercial (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) LPG to all States and Union Territories, raising it to 30 per cent, subject to their support in the long-term transition from LPG to Piped Natural Gas (PNG). Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, shared this information during an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia held in New Delhi on Wednesday. She said, Government has also urged commercial LPG consumers in the major cities and urban areas to switch to PNG. The government also assured that crude availability is normal and refineries are operating at maximum capacity. Ms Sharma said, domestic LPG production has increased by 40 percent. Talking about Enforcement Action, Ms Sharma said, about twelve thousand raids have been conducted in the last few days, and about fifteen thousand cylinders have been seized.  
Special Secretary for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Kumar Sinha said, all Indian vessels remain safe, with no incidents reported. In the past 24 hours, 25 Indian nationals were repatriated after sign-off from various ports. Mr Sinha informed that LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi which arrived at Gujarat ports recently are discharging cargo as per requirements. Earlier in the day, a large Indian vessel named ‘Jag Ladki’ arrived at Mundra Port in Gujarat carrying eighty-one thousand metric tonnes of high-quality oil from the UAE.  
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with President of UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the situation in West Asia yesterday. He said that both leaders stressed ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and agreed to work together for early restoration of peace, security and stability MEA Spokesperson further infomred that The Embassy of India in Tehran has issued an advisory for Indian nationals, especially students, regarding travel via land borders to Armenia and Azerbaijan.