LPG Crisis- Govt is preparing for big, Big relief is coming?

LPG Crisis: There is a big news for common people. In light of the LPG crisis, the central government might look into using ethanol as an alternative fuel. Industry representatives have put forward a proposal suggesting the use of around 1,000 crore liters of extra ethanol capacity for cooking.

A comprehensive report on this issue is anticipated to be presented to a committee formed by various ministries in the upcoming weeks. If this proposal gets the green light, it could offer a solid alternative fuel option.

What’s the deal?

“Ethanol can be viewed as an additional clean cooking fuel, rather than a replacement for LPG,” a source shared with Moneycontrol. “It has the potential to lessen import reliance, boost energy security, and provide a practical way to make use of surplus ethanol.”This is especially relevant for large-scale cooking operations like hotels, airports, and restaurants.

The source mentioned that the government is aware of the growing availability of ethanol and the ongoing issues with LPG supply. A detailed report will be sent to the committee to help shape a better policy. Officials are expected to evaluate the technical feasibility, pricing, and distribution plans before any decisions are made.In India, ethanol is mainly produced through the fermentation and distillation of sugarcane, corn, and broken rice. It’s being utilized as a renewable biofuel, mixed with petrol to cut down on crude oil imports and carbon emissions.

In households, it acts as a solvent in items like perfumes, paints, and cleaning products. Recent global tensions have caused a shortage of LPG supplies, leading households to prioritize their usage while commercial users are experiencing shortages. On another note, the government has indicated that LPG demand in the country is slowly returning to normal as domestic supply has risen and demand has decreased with the arrival of summer.

It’s important to mention that the disruption of global energy supplies due to the war outbreak in West Asia also impacted LPG availability in India. In response, the government prioritized domestic cooking and reduced supplies. This move increased consumer panic, and daily bookings rose to 8.8 million last month, compared to the normal daily booking of around 4.5 million cylinders.