NEW DELHI — Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is set to deliver a high-stakes statement in the Lok Sabha today, Thursday, March 12, 2026, regarding India’s energy security. The address comes as the nation grapples with the fallout of the intensifying West Asia conflict, which has crippled traditional shipping lines through the Strait of Hormuz. Sources indicate that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to intervene during the subsequent discussion, signaling a heated parliamentary debate over the government’s handling of rising fuel costs and supply shortages.
At an inter-ministerial briefing on Wednesday, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, reassured the public that India’s crude oil supply remains “secure” despite the geopolitical volatility. She highlighted that through diversified procurement from nearly 40 countries; India has secured volumes that exceed what would typically arrive via the now-blocked Persian Gulf route. Domestic refineries are reportedly operating at full capacity—and in some cases, above capacity—to maintain a steady flow of petroleum products.
Emergency LPG Management and Priority Sectors
The most acute pressure is currently being felt in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector. India imports approximately 60 per cent of its LPG, with a staggering 90 per cent of those shipments historically passing through the Strait of Hormuz. To mitigate the crisis, the government has implemented several emergency measures:
-
Production Surge: Domestic refining and petrochemical units have been ordered to optimize output, resulting in a 25 per cent increase in local LPG production.
-
Rationing Measures: To prevent panic hoarding, the mandatory gap between LPG bookings has been increased from 21 to 25 days.
-
Essential Prioritization: Available LPG is being directed primarily toward household consumers. In the commercial sector, priority is strictly given to “essential services” such as hospitals, educational institutions, and critical industries like fertilizer manufacturing and tea production.
-
Cost Absorption: The government has absorbed a significant portion of the global price hike to shield domestic consumers from the full impact of the conflict-driven energy surge.
Navigating the Maritime Blockade
While the Strait of Hormuz remains a primary chokepoint, Sharma confirmed that two major LNG cargoes are currently en route to India via alternative maritime corridors. The government is also consulting with state authorities and industry bodies to ensure “fair and transparent” distribution of fuel.
The upcoming Lok Sabha session is expected to focus on the long-term sustainability of these emergency measures. With the hospitality sector already reporting mass shutdowns due to the commercial LPG crunch, the opposition is likely to press the Minister on the timeline for normalizing supplies and the impact of the crisis on India’s broader economic growth and inflation rates.
