Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, May 25

The Government of India on Monday said the country’s fertiliser stocks remain comfortable and fuel supplies continue uninterrupted despite the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia, while urging citizens not to panic-buy petrol, diesel or LPG.

At an inter-ministerial media briefing held at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, External Affairs, and Chemicals and Fertilisers reviewed the impact of recent developments in West Asia and outlined steps taken to maintain stability in key sectors.

Officials said India’s fertiliser security remains “strong, stable and well-managed,” with availability exceeding requirements across major categories.

For the upcoming Kharif 2026 season, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has estimated the total fertiliser requirement at 390.54 lakh metric tonnes (LMT). Against this, current stock stands at around 200.12 LMT, covering more than 51 per cent of the total requirement, significantly above the normal buffer level of 33 per cent.

The government said about 117.6 LMT of fertilisers have been added to national availability following the recent crisis through imports and domestic production.

Domestic production included 57.66 LMT of urea, 7.93 LMT of DAP, 18.71 LMT of NPKs and 10.70 LMT of SSP. Imports at Indian ports included 13.60 LMT of urea, 0.88 LMT of DAP, 4.44 LMT of NPKs and 3.68 LMT of MOP.

Officials further said India has secured approximately 13.5 LMT of DAP and 9 LMT of NPKs from outside the Strait of Hormuz region, with shipments expected to arrive at Indian ports during May and June.

Highlighting the government’s efforts, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers said rising domestic production and sufficient stocks are ensuring an uninterrupted supply of fertilisers to farmers at affordable rates.

On fuel supply, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the government has ensured 100 per cent supply of domestic LPG, domestic PNG and CNG for transport.

Authorities said around 1.72 crore LPG cylinders were delivered against bookings of around 1.66 crore cylinders during the last four days, with no dry-outs reported at LPG distributorships across the country.

Online LPG bookings rose to nearly 99 per cent on an industry basis on Sunday, while Delivery Authentication Code-based deliveries reached about 95 per cent to prevent diversion of cylinders.

For commercial LPG, the government said supply has been increased to around 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels, with priority given to hospitals, educational institutions, pharmaceutical units, steel, automobile, seed and agriculture sectors.

During the last four days, around 1.96 lakh 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders were sold. Since April 3, public sector oil marketing companies have organised nearly 15,400 awareness camps for 5-kg cylinders and sold over 2.45 lakh such cylinders. Around 1,487 cylinders were sold through 82 camps on Sunday alone.

Officials said state governments and Union Territories have been asked to intensify public communication, monitor misinformation on social media, conduct enforcement drives against hoarding and black marketing, and prioritise domestic LPG distribution.

Enforcement agencies carried out more than 6,480 raids across the country over the past four days, seizing over 680 cylinders, registering 11 FIRs and arresting one person. PSU oil marketing companies also conducted surprise inspections at over 4,100 retail outlets and LPG distributorships. Penalties were imposed on 489 LPG distributorships, while 82 were suspended till Sunday.

On natural gas, the government said 100 per cent supply is being maintained to domestic PNG and CNG transport consumers, while gas supply to industrial and commercial sectors has been increased up to 80 per cent.

To accelerate PNG expansion, city gas distribution entities have been directed to prioritise commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants and canteens. Since March 2026, about 7.99 lakh PNG connections have been activated and infrastructure created for another 2.87 lakh, taking the total to 10.86 lakh connections. More than 59,800 consumers have surrendered LPG connections through the MYPNGD.in portal till May 24.

The Ministry said all refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories and sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel. Domestic LPG production from refineries has also been increased to support household demand.

To cushion consumers from rising crude prices triggered by the Middle East crisis, the government has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre. Export levy on diesel has been cut from Rs 23 per litre to Rs 16.50 per litre, while the levy on aviation turbine fuel has been reduced from Rs 33 per litre to Rs 16 per litre. An export duty of Rs 3 per litre has been imposed on petrol.

“All retail outlets are operating normally across the country and adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available at all petrol pumps,” officials said, adding that isolated crowding and unusually high sales were observed in some areas.

The Ministry of External Affairs said it continues to closely monitor developments in West Asia and remains in touch with Indian nationals in the region.

Indian missions across West Asia are maintaining regular contact with community members, organisations and Indian seafarers to ensure their safety and welfare, officials said.

The government also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United Arab Emirates on May 15, during which key agreements were signed to strengthen India’s energy security, including cooperation on strategic petroleum reserves and LPG supply. UAE entities also pledged investments worth $5 billion in Indian companies.

Advising the public to remain calm, the government urged citizens to avoid panic purchase of petrol, diesel and LPG, rely only on official information, use digital LPG booking platforms, adopt alternate fuels such as PNG and induction cooktops wherever possible, and conserve energy during the current situation.