Uninterrupted supply of fuel, grains, fertilizers & essentials
NEW DELHI: The Government of India Monday assured citizens that necessary arrangements are in place to ensure the uninterrupted supply of fuel, food grains, fertilizers and other essential commodities amidst the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia.
Anupam Mishra, Additional Secretary at the Department of Consumer Affairs, emphasised India's strong food security, supported by record agricultural production levels, including 3,766 lakh metric tonnes of food grains and over 274 lakh metric tonnes of pulses.
The significant increase in domestic production has led to a marked decline in pulse imports with government stocks reaching a three-year high, enabling effective market interventions when needed.
C Shikha, Joint Secretary at the Department of Food and Public Distributions, reported that food grain stocks far exceed the required buffer norms, noting that as of today, wheat stocks in the Central Pool stand at 513 lakh metric tonnes well above the prescribed norm of 276 lakh metric tonnes for the upcoming month.
Regarding fuel supply, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated that all Oil Marketing Companies are actively restocking petrol and diesel at retail outlets to ensure smooth supply. During the past three days, over 1.21 crore LPG bookings have been made, with deliveries surpassing 1.22 crore, achieving approximately 95% completion through authentication codes.
The government has requested states and union territories to heighten vigilance against hoarding and black marketing. 1,300 raids were conducted, resulting in seven arrests.
In support of businesses affected by the West Asia situation, Manoj Muttathil Ayyappan from the Department of Financial Services announced the approval of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS 5.0), which offers 100% credit guarantee coverage for MSMEs and 90% for non-MSMEs and airlines to help them navigate challenges and uncertainties.
Aparna S Sharma, Additional Secretary in the Department of Fertilizers, reported that India's fertilizer security is strong, with availability consistently exceeding demand. For the Kharif 2026 season, the estimated fertilizer requirement stands at 383.9 lakh metric tonnes, while current stock levels at 199.86 lakh metric tonnes represent over 52% of this need, significantly higher than typical stock levels at this point in the season.
Lastly, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, noted that shipping services in the region remain stable and operational. The number of services east of the Strait of Hormuz and through the Red Sea continues to be robust, with no reports of incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels or crew members in the last 72 hours, thereby affirming confidence among global shipping operators.