The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Monday announced a series of measures to ensure adequate domestic supply of LPG in the country amid geopolitical disruptions affecting global fuel availability.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry said it has issued directives to oil refineries to increase LPG production, with the additional output to be diverted primarily for domestic household consumption. The move comes at a time when global fuel supply chains are under pressure due to ongoing geopolitical tensions that have constrained LPG availability.

The ministry noted that disruptions to fuel supply and constraints on LPG availability have prompted authorities to prioritise the needs of households. As part of the measures to prevent hoarding and black marketing, the government has introduced a 25-day inter-booking period for LPG cylinders, aimed at ensuring fair distribution and preventing excessive stockpiling by consumers.

Officials said that domestic LPG supply has been given top priority, with the government focusing on maintaining uninterrupted access for households across the country.

At the same time, the ministry clarified that non-domestic LPG supply sourced from imports will be directed towards essential sectors. These include critical services such as hospitals and educational institutions, which rely on LPG for operational needs.

To manage supply for other commercial users, the government has constituted a committee comprising three executive directors of oil marketing companies (OMCs). The committee will review requests and representations to LPG supply for restaurants, hotels and other industries, and assess the allocation of LPG for these sectors.

The latest measures come amid heightened uncertainty in global energy markets, with geopolitical tensions disrupting fuel transportation routes and affecting the supply of petroleum products. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with refiners and oil marketing companies to ensure that essential domestic demand is met.

Officials said the government will continue to track developments in the global energy market and take further steps if required to safeguard fuel availability within the country.