govt-reviews-household-with-dual-lpg-png-connections

The government is reviewing households holding both liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and piped natural gas (PNG) connections as it enforces a ban on dual ownership, aimed at curbing misuse and better targeting subsidies amid supply constraints.

 

The move follows a March 14 notification by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas amending the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, under the Essential Commodities Act. The amendment mandates that consumers with PNG connections must surrender their domestic LPG connections.

 

Officials said the step is intended to prioritise LPG supplies for households without access to piped gas and to accelerate the rollout of PNG, particularly in urban areas.

 

“Assessment is being done as to how many have dual connections,” Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said at an inter-ministerial briefing.

Also read: Supply disruptions drag India's LPG consumption down 13 pc

According to the ministry, more than 43,000 consumers with both LPG and PNG connections have surrendered their LPG connections so far. Sharma described the figure as low, adding, “This is a low number. We expect it to be more”.

 

Under the revised order, individuals with PNG connections are barred from retaining or obtaining subsidised LPG connections. Government oil companies and their distributors have also been directed not to provide new LPG connections or refill cylinders for such consumers.

 

The policy comes against the backdrop of tightening energy supplies. India imports about 88 per cent of its crude oil, 50 per cent of its natural gas and nearly 60 per cent of its LPG requirements.

 

Prior to recent geopolitical tensions in West Asia, a significant share of India’s energy imports came from the region, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Supply disruptions following conflict in the region, including the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, have impacted availability.

 

While crude supplies have been partly offset through alternative sourcing, including from Russia, gas supplies have been curtailed to industrial users and LPG availability reduced for commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants.

 

The government has also halted issuance of new LPG connections in view of the supply constraints.