PM Modi Addresses Energy Concerns Amid Global Tensions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the escalating energy crisis in India, which has been triggered by the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Speaking at the NXT Summit, the Prime Minister firmly downplayed the severity of the situation while taking a strong stance against individuals he accused of spreading unnecessary alarm.
Criticism of Panic-Mongers
In his address, PM Modi specifically targeted those who he claimed are "trying to create panic" amidst the current global energy disruptions. "We will have to make collective efforts, keeping the national interest supreme and fulfilling our duties," he stated. "Nowadays, there is a lot of discussion about LPG. There are some people who are trying to create panic. They want to push their own agenda."
The Prime Minister refrained from making direct political comments but issued a stern warning: "At this time, I do not wish to make political comments on them. But I will certainly say that by doing so, they are not only exposing themselves in front of the public but also causing great harm to the country."
Government's Focus on Energy Self-Reliance
PM Modi emphasized the government's strategic focus on achieving self-reliance in the energy sector to reduce dependency on foreign sources. He highlighted significant progress made since 2014:
- LPG connections have increased from 14 crore to over 33 crore households.
- The number of LNG terminals has doubled from just 4 in 2014.
"To ensure we don't have to rely solely on foreign sources for energy, emphasis was placed on self-reliance in the energy sector," he explained. "Today, no country is untouched by the impact of this global crisis that has arrived. In lesser or greater measure, everyone is a victim of this crisis. India too is leaving no stone unturned to deal with this crisis."
Protecting Citizens from War Impacts
The Prime Minister assured that the government is taking comprehensive measures to shield Indian citizens from the burdens arising from international conflicts. "The Government of India has always made every possible effort to ensure that the burden of situations arising from war does not fall on the citizens of India," he declared.
He added, "This time too, we will make every possible effort to ensure that the war has the least possible impact on the lives of the country's farmers and the citizens of the country."
Current Energy Crisis Context
The Prime Minister's comments come amid growing concerns about LPG shortages across India. The escalating Middle East conflict has disrupted global energy supply chains, particularly following Iranian retaliation against US-Israel strikes that led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This has resulted in:
- Widespread panic buying and long queues at LPG agencies and petrol pumps.
- Restaurants and small businesses switching to alternative cooking methods.
- Increased government intervention to manage distribution.
Oil Ministry Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma revealed that certain measures have helped raise domestic LPG production by 28 percent, with alternative sources being tapped overseas. The government has decided to allow commercial LPG sales to meet approximately one-fifth of the demand, with state governments responsible for identifying beneficiaries.
Government Measures to Manage Crisis
To address the escalating situation, the government has implemented several key measures:
- Extended the LPG refill ordering window for rural users to 45 days, up from the 25-day limit set last week for all users.
- Increased the monthly quota of kerosene released to states—the first such increase in over a decade.
- Temporarily reversed the phase-out policy for kerosene, despite its history of adulteration issues and heavy subsidies.
These actions aim to manage demand and ensure equitable distribution amid the ongoing energy supply disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis. The situation remains fluid as global tensions continue to impact energy markets worldwide.
