The Government of India (GoI) has invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate the production, supply, distribution and availability of natural gas for priority sectors amid the prevailing situation in West Asia.
As per a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), priority of supply has been accorded to domestic piped natural gas supply (PNG), compressed natural gas (CNG) for transport, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production including LPG shrinkage requirements, and pipeline compressor fuel and other essential pipeline operational requirements. Supply to these sectors shall be maintained at 100 per cent of their past six-month average gas consumption, subject to operational availability.
The order further stipulates that gas supply to fertiliser plants shall be maintained at 70 per cent of their past six-month average gas consumption. Gas marketing entities have been directed to ensure that supply to tea industries, manufacturing and other industrial consumers supplied through the national gas grid is maintained at 80 per cent of their past six-month average gas consumption. Additionally, all city gas distribution (CGD) entities have been directed to ensure that industrial and commercial consumers supplied through their networks receive 80 per cent of their past six-month average gas consumption.