New Delhi, March 26 (NationPress): All oil refineries across the nation are functioning at optimal levels with sufficient crude oil reserves, while domestic LPG output has been escalated to meet local demand. Additionally, the country is ensuring that adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available, as per the government’s announcement on Thursday.

The distribution of domestic LPG cylinders remains steady, and the government has allocated extra LPG for priority sectors, including migrant workers, with over 37,000 small 5 kg LPG cylinders sold on Wednesday.

Fuel retail locations nationwide are operating without any interruptions, and no LPG shortages have been reported at distribution points or petrol stations. The public is urged to disregard any rumors regarding fuel scarcity, according to the official statement.

The government has reinstated a partial commercial LPG supply of up to 20 percent to consumers. Furthermore, an additional 10 percent of commercial LPG is being allocated to states and UTs based on their ease of doing business reforms aimed at expanding PNG.

The Centre has also called on states and UTs to intensify their efforts against hoarding and black market activities.

Numerous raids are ongoing in various states and UTs to combat hoarding and illegal LPG trade. Over 2,600 raids have been conducted, resulting in the seizure of more than 450 cylinders in regions such as Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana as of Wednesday.

Officials from public sector oil companies have executed surprise inspections at more than 1,700 retail outlets and LPG distribution centers across the country on Wednesday to ensure a smooth supply chain and to monitor for hoarding and illegal trades. To date, over 680 FIRs have been filed, and 195 individuals have been apprehended.

Priority allocations continue, ensuring 100 percent supply to domestic PNG for cooking and CNG for vehicle refueling, while supply to industrial and commercial consumers connected to the grid is maintained at approximately 80 percent of average consumption levels.

City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities have been instructed to give precedence to PNG connections for commercial venues such as restaurants, hotels, and canteens.

CGD companies, including IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas, and BPCL, are incentivizing domestic and commercial PNG connections.

An additional allocation of 48,000 KL of kerosene has been distributed to all states and UTs, beyond the standard allocation. States and UTs have been asked to establish district-level distribution points.