Amid rising global crude prices, India’s government delivered good news for regular fuel users: no price hikes on standard petrol. Premium fuels, making up just 3-4% of the market, bore the brunt with increases exceeding Rs 2 per litre, as decided by oil marketing firms.
In a detailed press briefing, Petroleum Ministry’s Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma clarified the dynamics. ‘Petrol and diesel are deregulated, meaning OMCs align prices with global cues,’ she noted. This selective adjustment protects the bulk of consumers reliant on everyday fuel.
LPG front looks equally robust. Supplies are uninterrupted, bolstered by enhanced production and strategic shifts. Over 13,700 PNG connections have eased LPG demand, with 7,500 consumers making the switch. Commercial deliveries reached 11,300 tonnes last week, and refill bookings hover at 55 lakh daily—far from hoarding levels.
India’s energy import reliance is acknowledged, but proactive measures are in play: scouting new suppliers, state-level vigilance, and infrastructure pushes. Shipping Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha added that 22 Indian ships in Hormuz waters are secure, with zero incidents reported.
As tensions simmer in oil-rich regions, this stance reflects prudent policymaking—balancing fiscal realities with public welfare. Consumers can breathe easy, at least for now, as the government navigates these choppy waters.