The central government has officially invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to secure India energy needs amid escalating tensions in West Asia. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas introduced the Natural Gas Supply Regulation Order 2026 to manage the supply chain after imports through the Strait of Hormuz were affected. This new policy ensures that domestic households and the public transport sector receive 100 percent of their required gas supply before other industries.
What are the new priority levels for gas supply?
Under the new framework, the government has divided gas consumers into four main tiers to manage the current shortage. The primary focus is to shield 33 crore domestic gas connections across the country from any supply disruption. India currently requires approximately 19.1 crore cubic meters of gas daily to sustain all sectors.
| Priority Level | Sector Involved | Allocated Supply |
|---|---|---|
| Priority 1 | Domestic PNG, CNG Transport, LPG | 100% Supply |
| Priority 2 | Fertilizer Plants | 70% Supply |
| Priority 3 & 4 | Industrial and Commercial Units | 80% Supply |
| Curtailed | Power Plants and Petrochemical Units | Diverted |
Strict Action Against Hoarding and Rise in Travel Costs
A high-level monitoring committee has been set up to prevent black marketing of LPG cylinders. State governments in Bihar and Karnataka have warned that anyone found hoarding will face arrest without a warrant under the Essential Services Maintenance Act. Officials are now authorized to conduct surprise inspections at oil depots and retail outlets.
- Restaurant Crisis: The National Restaurant Association of India has advised members to switch to induction and electric cooking as commercial gas prices have surged.
- Air India Surcharge: Air India has added a fuel surcharge of 399 rupees on domestic tickets while international flights see surcharges up to 200 US dollars.
- Shipping Issues: Maritime data shows around 700 tankers are stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, including 37 Indian flagged vessels.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri mentioned that India is now expanding its sourcing to 40 countries to bypass the conflict zones. Current domestic stocks are estimated to cover roughly two weeks of consumption if fresh shipments do not resume soon.
