PM Modi chairs high-level meeting to review energy supply amid West Asia tensions
PTC News Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led a high-level review meeting in the national capital to assess the situation in the petroleum, crude oil, gas, power and fertiliser sectors amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia.
The discussion centred on maintaining uninterrupted supplies, smooth logistics and efficient distribution of essential resources nationwide. Key ministers present included Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Health Minister JP Nadda, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who attended the meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence.
The government stated it is taking precautionary measures to ensure energy security and sufficient availability, while closely tracking global developments to safeguard the interests of consumers and industries. As an immediate step, commercial LPG allocations to states have been increased, with priority given to critical sectors like hospitals and educational institutions. States have also been encouraged to expand new PNG connections for both households and businesses.
Meanwhile, enforcement agencies are conducting raids across states and Union Territories to prevent LPG hoarding and black marketing. Officials confirmed that port operations across the country remain smooth, with no congestion reported. Strengthening supplies further, an LPG cargo shipment from Texas, US, has reached New Mangalore Port in Mangaluru. Earlier, the Shipping Ministry had announced a waiver of cargo-related charges for crude oil and LPG between March 14 and March 31.
During an inter-ministerial briefing, Shipping Ministry Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha said that all 22 Indian vessels and 611 sailors in the Persian Gulf are safe, with no maritime incidents reported in the past 24 hours, adding that the situation is being closely monitored.
The review comes as the West Asia conflict enters its fourth week, impacting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The situation escalated following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28.
- With inputs from agencies
