Overall gas allocation to fertiliser plants being further increased by 5%: Govt

The government has said that the overall gas allocation to fertiliser plants is being further increased by 5 per cent, taking it to approximately 95 per cent of their six-month average consumption. In a statement, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry said that since March, around 4.15 lakh PNG connections have been gasified, while about 4.55 lakh additional customers have registered for new connections. So far, more than 26,000 PNG consumers have surrendered their LPG connections through the MYPNGD.in website.
The government also informed that enforcement actions are continuing across the country to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG. More than 3,400 raids were conducted nationwide on Friday. Public sector oil marketing companies have stepped up surprise inspections, imposing penalties on 214 LPG distributorships and suspending 55 others. Additionally, around one lakh 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders were sold across the country, compared to a daily average of 77,000 in February. Since 23rd March, more than 12 lakh 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders have been sold to students and vulnerable groups, including migrant labourers.
Meanwhile, necessary measures have been put in place to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the West Asia region, by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. All Indian seafarers in the region are safe and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours. The India-flagged LPG vessel Jag Vikram has safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz yesterday. The vessel is carrying approximately 20,400 MT of LPG cargo with 24 seafarers onboard. It is expected to arrive at Mumbai on 15th of April.