LPG bookings fall to 77 lakh; no fuel shortages, online bookings rise after govt campaign
New Delhi (PTI): LPG refill bookings have declined to about 77 lakh from 88.8 lakh earlier, indicating some easing of panic buying, even as the government said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or cooking gas, and supplies remain stable despite the West Asia conflict.
In a daily update on the impact of the West Asia situation, the government said the share of online LPG bookings has risen to about 87 per cent from 84 per cent, attributing the increase to a campaign by oil marketing companies promoting digital booking and discouraging people from queuing up at LPG dealerships for panic purchases.
All domestic "refineries are operating at high capacity and maintaining adequate crude oil inventories," the update said. "The country remains self-sufficient in the production of petrol and diesel, requiring no imports of the fuels to meet domestic demand."
Oil marketing companies have reported no dry-outs at fuel retail outlets or LPG distributorships, and petrol, diesel and LPG supplies are being maintained regularly.
"LPG bookings have shown a decline, with about 77 lakh bookings recorded yesterday (on Saturday) compared to 88.8 lakh bookings on March 13, 2026," the update said, adding "Online LPG cylinder bookings have increased from 84 per cent to about 87 per cent."
The government said it continues to prioritise the interests of domestic consumers and ensure uninterrupted LPG supply, particularly for households and priority sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.
Several States and UTs, including Bihar, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan, have issued orders for allocation of non-domestic LPG in line with government guidelines.
State governments are undertaking enforcement measures to prevent hoarding and black marketing of petrol, diesel and LPG.
Raids are being carried out in several states, including Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, to check hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders.
Officials of PSU Oil Marketing Companies are also conducting surprise inspections at LPG distributorships to ensure smooth supply and prevent irregularities.
"Citizens are advised not to resort to panic buying as adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available across the country," the update said.
Priority sectors continue to receive protected natural gas supplies, including 100 per cent supply for piped natural gas (PNG or natural gas piped to household for cooking purpose) and compressed natural gas (CNG), while supplies to industrial and commercial users have been regulated at about 80 per cent.
Commercial LPG cylinders have been placed at the disposal of state governments for priority distribution and are now available in 30 states and Union Territories, while authorities have stepped up raids and inspections to curb hoarding and black-marketing, it said.
The government has also amended the LPG Control Order to mandate that consumers with PNG connections surrender domestic LPG connections, while domestic LPG production from refineries has been maximised and booking intervals rationalised to ensure equitable distribution, it said.
The Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia and assisting Indian nationals in the region through missions operating round-the-clock helplines.
Around 1.94 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region since February 28, it added.
Domestic LPG production from refineries has been maximized, and several supply and demand-side measures have been implemented.
PSU oil marketing companies are promoting digital bookings, discouraging panic bookings and keeping LPG distributorships open on Sundays to facilitate smooth supply.
"Citizens are advised not to panic as the government remains committed to maintaining adequate LPG availability for households and essential sectors," it said. "Consumers are requested to avoid panic bookings, use digital booking platforms and avoid unnecessary visits to LPG distributors."
Citizens are encouraged to opt for alternate fuels such as PNG wherever possible.
"The government continues to maintain coordination among the concerned Ministries and agencies and is taking necessary steps to ensure preparedness across key sectors and safeguard national interests," it added.
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Trump's call for countries to send warships to protect Hormuz brings no promises
Cairo (AP): US President Donald Trump's appeal to China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe" brought no commitments on Sunday as oil prices soar during the Iran war.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC he has been “in dialogue” with some of the countries, and said he expected China “will be a constructive partner" in reopening the strait through which one-fifth of global oil exports normally pass.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told CBS that Tehran has been “approached by a number of countries" seeking safe passage for their vessels, "and this is up to our military to decide.” He said a group of vessels from “different countries” had been allowed to pass, without providing details.
Iran has said the strait is open to all except the United States and its allies.
"We don't see any reason why we should talk with Americans” about finding a way to end the war, Araghchi added, noting that Israel and the US started the fighting with coordinated attacks on Feb 28 during indirect US-Iran talks. The talks focused on Iran's nuclear programme, and Araghchi said Tehran had "no plan to recover” enriched uranium that is under rubble following US and Israeli attacks last year.
“We are intensively looking with our allies at what can be done, because it's so important that we get the strait reopened,” UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News, adding that ending the war is the “best and surest” way to do it.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said it “takes note” of Trump's call and that it “will closely coordinate and carefully review” the situation with the US.
Expectations are high that Trump will ask Japan directly when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets him on Thursday at the White House.
There was no immediate response from China.
France previously said it is working with countries — President Emmanuel Macron mentioned partners in Europe, India and other Asian ones — on a possible international mission to escort ships through the strait but has stressed it must be when “the circumstances permit,” when fighting has subsided.
Meanwhile, emergency oil stocks “will soon start flowing to global markets,” the International Energy Agency said Sunday, describing the collective action to lower prices “by far the largest ever.”
It updated last week's announcement of 400 million barrels to nearly 412 million. Asian member countries plan to release stocks “immediately,” and reserves from Europe and the Americas will be released “from the end of March.”
Gulf Arab states reported new missile and drone attacks a day after Iran called for the evacuation of three major ports in the United Arab Emirates — the first time it has threatened a neighbouring country's non-US assets. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE said they were working to intercept projectiles.
Iran has accused the US of launching Friday's strikes on Kharg Island, home to Iran's primary oil terminal, from the UAE, without providing evidence.
US Central Command said it had no response to Iran's claim, and Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, rejected it. Gulf countries that host US bases have denied allowing their land or airspace to be used for military operations against Iran.
Iran has threatened to attack the region's US-linked “oil, economic and energy infrastructures” if the Islamic Republic's oil infrastructure is hit.
Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman during the war, causing significant damage and rattling economies even as most are intercepted. Tehran says it targets US assets, even as Iranian strikes are reported at civilian sites such as airports and oil fields.
Iranian strikes have killed at least a dozen civilians in Gulf countries, most of them migrant workers.
In Iran, the International Committee for the Red Cross said more than 1,300 people have been killed. Iran's Health Ministry said 223 women and 202 children are among the dead, according to Mizan, the judiciary's official news agency.
Iran's government on Sunday showed journalists buildings damaged by strikes in Tehran on Friday. A police station was hit and surrounding buildings were damaged. Some apartments' outer walls had been stripped away.
“God had mercy on all of us,” said Elham Movagghari, a resident.
In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire and more have been injured, including three on Sunday. At least 13 US military members have been killed, six in a plane crash in Iraq last week.
At least 820 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to its Health Ministry, since Iran-backed Hezbollah started hitting Israel and Israel responded with strikes and sent additional troops into southern Lebanon.
In just 10 days, more than 800,000 people — nearly one out of every seven residents of Lebanon — have been displaced, just over a year since the last conflict uprooted over a million Lebanese.
In Beirut, displaced families fixed tents battered by wind and rain. Fadi Younes, displaced from the southern suburbs, told The Associated Press that his mattresses and blankets were soaked.
“We don't know where this will end,” he said.
In the southern suburb of Haret Hreik, there was scarcely a person in sight when crews arrived to clear the streets of rubble.
Israel said it continued to strike Iran. Iran fired missiles toward Israel.
Several strikes hit central Israel and the Tel Aviv area, where they caused damage at 23 sites and sparked a small fire. Magen David Adom, Israel's rescue service, released video showing a large crater in a street and shrapnel damage to an apartment building.
Multi-site impacts have become a hallmark of the war, as Israel's military says Iran is firing cluster bombs that can evade some air defences and scatter submunitions across multiple locations.
