Published Mar 12, 2026 | 6:35 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 12, 2026 | 6:35 PM
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Credit: x.com/HardeepSPuri
Synopsis: Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured Parliament that India’s crude oil supply remains secure despite West Asia tensions. He dismissed fears of fuel shortages, attributing LPG panic to “consumer anxiety”. With non-Hormuz imports rising to 70 percent, India has diversified sourcing from 40 countries. Puri said LPG output was ramped up and urged lawmakers to avoid “rumour-mongering”.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday, 12 March, assured Parliament that India’s crude oil supply remains secure despite escalating violence in West Asia, even as reports and videos of LPG shortages and long queues at petrol pumps surfaced.
“There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation and fuel oil is fully assured,” Puri told the Lok Sabha, attributing the panic over LPG to “consumer anxiety”.
He acknowledged that the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was “unprecedented”, but stressed that India had increased its “non-Hormuz crude imports” to 70 percent of the total, thereby safeguarding supply. However, Puri added that the world had “not faced a moment like this in energy history” after the maritime route was effectively closed to commercial shipping for the first time.
Puri sought to calm concerns raised by hotel and restaurant associations about commercial LPG availability.
“OMC field officers and the anti-adulteration cell are coordinating enforcement at the distributor level. The Home Secretary has held a meeting with Chief Secretaries of all states to align state-level administration with the central supply and information framework,” he said.
He explained that regulation of commercial LPG was intended to prevent black marketing, not to penalise the hospitality sector.
“Commercial LPG is sold in a completely deregulated over-the-counter market at market prices without any government subsidy. There is no registration system, no booking requirement, no digital authentication and no delivery confirmation mechanism. Any business or individual can purchase cylinders in any quantity at the point of sale, with no government control in normal times… The government has therefore taken the responsible course to regulate this channel with clear priorities and a transparent allocation mechanism.”
Addressing Opposition concerns, Puri reiterated that there was “no shortage” and that India had sufficient supplies of petroleum products, with supply chains functioning normally. He highlighted that India had swiftly diversified crude sourcing, reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, 45 percent of India’s crude imports passed through the strait, but diplomatic outreach had secured volumes exceeding what the disrupted route could have delivered.
India now sources crude oil from about 40 countries, compared with 27 in 2006–07, strengthening energy security.
Puri’s remarks followed criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who warned of global consequences from the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and questioned the Centre over LPG shortages.
In reply, Puri said LPG production had been ramped up over the past five days and accused the Opposition of spreading unnecessary alarm. “Despite having no role in causing the West Asia conflict, India has to navigate its consequences responsibly,” he said, urging Opposition MPs to avoid “rumour-mongering”.
