Gas Cylinder: Tensions in West Asia have escalated once again following a US attack. Iran continues to issue warnings to the US, casting a shadow of crisis over the prospects of peace. The mounting tension in the Middle East has stalled traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, causing crude oil prices to rise steadily.
In India, prices of petrol and diesel—along with gas cylinders—are soaring. Amidst this, the government has taken a major decision regarding subsidised LPG cylinders. The annual quota of subsidised cylinders provided under the PM Ujjwala Yojana has been reduced.
The central government will now provide a subsidy of ₹300 per cylinder on only four cylinders annually, down from nine. Consequently, a family will receive a total annual subsidy of ₹1,200 instead of ₹2,700, representing a direct loss of ₹1,500. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has also explained the reason behind this move.
Union Minister Makes a Key Statement
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that while the government’s objective is to provide affordable gas to poor families, it is equally important to ensure that the subsidy is not misused. He noted that the government is continuously working to enhance transparency in its schemes and prevent any form of leakage. Puri added that India’s energy security remains robust, as the country has developed multiple alternative sources for oil and gas supplies.
He pointed out that approximately 7% of India’s LPG supply and nearly 20% of its crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The Minister stated that the government would endeavour to manage the situation over the next 30 to 60 days just as it has done over the past 100 days.
However, he acknowledged that if international conditions change and oil prices surge sharply, the situation might need to be reviewed. He mentioned that there is an ongoing discussion regarding the situation in West Asia. He said, “Some people are talking about a ceasefire and a potential Iran-US agreement, while others are expressing concerns about escalating tensions. He stated that he did not wish to speculate on these possibilities.”
Government’s Priority: Affordable Energy and Transparency
The Petroleum Minister stated that the government’s primary objective is to provide affordable energy to the people. Alongside this, enhancing the efficiency of welfare schemes and preventing the misuse of subsidies are equally important.
He noted that the government constantly monitors the situation to ensure that benefits reach the intended recipients and that government assistance is not misused. He discussed several other issues during an interview with IANS.
Misuse of Subsidised Cylinders
Addressing questions regarding the reduction in the number of subsidised LPG cylinders under the PM Ujjwala Yojana, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said, “The government had received credible indications that some individuals were using subsidised domestic cylinders for commercial purposes or reselling them to others. Consequently, the eligibility criteria were reviewed, and the rules were amended.
