The Central Government has formed a high-level three-minister committee led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to closely monitor the supply and distribution of petrol, diesel and LPG across the country, particularly in the national capital.

The decision comes amid rising concerns about possible fuel supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, especially the impact of the Iran–US conflict on the crucial Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

Government officials said the committee will ensure real-time monitoring of fuel supplies, prevent panic buying and address rumours regarding shortages.

Three-Minister Panel Constituted for Fuel Supply Oversight

The newly formed committee consists of three senior ministers from key government departments:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah – Chairman of the committee

• External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar

• Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

The panel was constituted urgently on March 12 as part of the government’s strategy to maintain stability in fuel supply chains and reassure citizens that adequate energy reserves are available.

Officials stated that the ministers will work together to coordinate between different government agencies, oil marketing companies and state authorities to ensure uninterrupted fuel distribution.

Background: Global Energy Concerns

The committee’s formation comes at a time when global energy markets are facing uncertainty due to escalating tensions in West Asia.

The conflict involving Iran, the United States and its allies has raised concerns about possible disruptions to international shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime corridors for global oil transport, with a large share of the world’s crude oil shipments passing through the narrow waterway.

Any disruption in this route could potentially impact global energy supplies and cause fluctuations in fuel prices.

Although India has diversified its energy sources in recent years, the government has taken proactive steps to prevent any disruption to domestic supply chains.

Focus on Ensuring Fuel Availability in Delhi

Officials said the immediate focus of the committee will be ensuring smooth fuel supply in the national capital region, where concerns about shortages have been circulating.

The decision followed a review meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, which included representatives from:

• Oil marketing companies

• Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL)

• Delhi Police

• Food and civil supplies departments

During the meeting, officials confirmed that adequate fuel stocks are currently available.

However, certain precautionary measures were introduced to maintain supply stability.

LPG Booking Interval Extended

One of the measures taken during the review meeting was extending the booking interval for LPG cylinders to 25 days.

Officials clarified that this step was a temporary precautionary measure to ensure fair distribution and prevent unnecessary stockpiling.

At the same time, the government has prioritised the supply of PNG (Piped Natural Gas) and CNG for essential sectors.

These sectors include:

• Public transportation

• Hospitals and healthcare facilities

• Essential service providers

The goal is to ensure that critical services continue operating without disruption.

Crackdown on Black Marketing and Hoarding

Authorities have also stepped up efforts to prevent black marketing, hoarding and illegal diversion of fuel supplies.

Delhi government officials have instructed police and revenue department teams to closely monitor fuel distribution networks and take strict action against any illegal activities.

The crackdown will target:

• Fuel hoarding by dealers or distributors

• Theft or diversion of petroleum products

• Black market sales at inflated prices

Officials said such actions could create artificial shortages and unnecessary panic among the public, which the government aims to prevent.

Committee’s Key Responsibilities

The three-minister committee has been tasked with several important responsibilities to maintain fuel stability.

These include:

• Daily monitoring of petrol, diesel and LPG stock levels

• Ensuring smooth transportation and supply chain operations

• Preventing hoarding and black marketing

• Ensuring equitable distribution of fuel across regions

• Maintaining adequate gas supplies for industrial and essential sectors

Officials said the committee will also monitor the restoration of industrial gas supply levels, with a target of maintaining around 80 percent of normal industrial gas flows.

Opposition Criticism and Political Debate

The formation of the committee comes amid criticism from opposition parties, which have raised concerns about the government’s handling of fuel supply and rising prices.

Some opposition leaders have accused the government of mismanagement in energy policy, arguing that the country should have taken stronger steps earlier to secure supply.

The government, however, maintains that India has sufficient reserves and diversified import sources, making the country relatively resilient to global disruptions.

Officials say the committee is intended as a precautionary measure rather than a response to an actual shortage.

Role of Amit Shah in Crisis Coordination

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been placed at the helm of the committee due to his experience in managing large-scale crisis situations.

Government sources pointed out that Shah previously played a significant role in coordinating pandemic response measures in Delhi during the COVID-19 crisis.

His leadership is expected to ensure effective coordination between central ministries, state authorities and law enforcement agencies.

The committee is also expected to provide regular updates to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the status of fuel supplies and any emerging challenges.

Oil Companies Confirm Adequate Supplies

Oil marketing companies have also reassured the public that fuel reserves remain sufficient.

Officials said that petrol, diesel and LPG supplies are being maintained at normal levels, and home delivery of LPG cylinders is continuing within two to three days in most areas.

Industry representatives emphasised that India’s fuel infrastructure is strong enough to handle temporary global disruptions.

They also noted that the country has expanded its strategic petroleum reserves and diversified import sources over the past decade.

Preventing Panic Buying

One of the key objectives of the government’s move is to prevent panic buying by consumers.

Rumours about shortages can sometimes lead to people purchasing more fuel than necessary, which in turn may strain supply chains.

Officials have urged citizens to avoid spreading unverified information and rely only on official announcements regarding fuel availability.

They reiterated that there is currently no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG in the country.

Broader Strategy for Energy Security

The formation of the ministerial panel is also part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen energy security during periods of global uncertainty.

Over the years, India has adopted several measures to reduce vulnerability to external shocks, including:

• Diversifying crude oil import sources

• Expanding strategic petroleum reserves

• Strengthening domestic refinery capacity

• Increasing LNG imports from multiple countries

These steps have helped India maintain stable energy supplies even during geopolitical disruptions.

Conclusion

The Central Government’s decision to form a three-minister panel led by Amit Shah reflects a proactive approach to managing fuel supply concerns during a period of global energy uncertainty.

With External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also part of the committee, the government aims to ensure real-time monitoring of petrol, diesel and LPG distribution across the country.

Officials have reiterated that adequate fuel stocks are available, and the committee’s primary goal is to maintain stability, prevent rumours and ensure uninterrupted supply to consumers and industries.

As geopolitical tensions continue to influence global energy markets, the government’s coordinated approach seeks to reassure citizens and safeguard India’s energy security.

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