Patiala: In coordination with district administrations, the Punjab food and supplies dept ordered a phased restoration of non-domestic LPG supply up to 70% of pre-crisis levels to stabilise some industrial and commercial activity after recent energy disruptions triggered by the Middle East crisis. This restoration for some industrial sectors includes a rider: industries must submit an undertaking confirming readiness for Piped Natural Gas (PNG).The directive followed a series of policy decisions taken by the secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), aimed at balancing immediate fuel requirements with a long-term transition to Piped Natural Gas (PNG). “LPG supply restoration through March this year was carried out in stages. Oil marketing companies (OMCs) were initially directed to supply 20% of normal allocations. In Punjab, district-level committees led by deputy commissioners prioritised essential services such as hospitals, educational institutions, hostels and weddings, particularly daughters’ weddings,” said an official in the Food and Supply Department.“Allocations were later raised to 30% for states implementing ‘Ease of Doing Business’ measures, including reducing road-cutting charges and introducing single-window clearances for PNG infrastructure. From March 23, supply increased to 50% of pre-crisis levels, with priority extended to sectors including restaurants, dhabas, hotels, food processing units and community kitchens. The latest directive issued last week provided for a further increase to 70% of pre-crisis levels, with rider. This enhanced quota targeted labour-intensive industries such as steel, textiles, automobiles, dyeing, chemicals and plastics,” he added.The enhanced allocation came with compliance conditions. Preference was to be given to industries where LPG was critical for specialised processes not easily substitutable with natural gas. Industrial units were required to be registered with OMCs and have a pending application for PNG with the local City Gas Distribution (CGD) entity. In Ludhiana, all non-domestic consumers were required to submit end-use certificates to distributors to curb hoarding and diversion. The Ludhiana district administration warned of strict action against hoarding, including immediate registration of FIRs. To support migrant labour, establishments were advised to coordinate with gas agencies for the supply of 5-kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders to ensure easier access and reduce waiting times.Himanshu Jain, Ludhiana deputy commissioner, confirmed that restoration up to 70% for commercial industry was ordered but only for industries that will submit an undertaking of readiness for PNG.“We are working to ensure maximum supply to permissible sectors in line with MoPNG guidelines,” said Varinder Sharma, director, Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. The restoration applies only to some industrial sectors and includes a rider. At the same time, we urge consumers to shift to PNG wherever feasible, as it is a safer, cleaner and more reliable alternative to imported LPG.” The phased increase in LPG allocation reflected a broader strategy to manage immediate shortages while accelerating the transition to PNG, beginning with a 20% baseline during peak supply constraints, followed by reform-linked incremental increases, and culminating in the 70% pre-crisis allocation announced last week. Access to the highest supply tier remained conditional upon industries demonstrating readiness to transition, including PNG application, compliance documentation and verified end-use.Vinod Vashish, National President of the All India Steel Re-rollers Association and based in Mandi Gobindgarh, Asia’s Iron and Steel Town, said, “The decision may prove a slight relief, but the industry is suffering due to the Middle East crisis. The govt should allow industries to use ‘coal gasifiers stage 1-high temperature’ as an alternative fuel, as it produces no hazardous waste.”
