The government on Sunday relaxed petroleum safety and licensing rules to speed up kerosene distribution to households, saying the move is aimed at averting cooking-fuel shortages caused by disruptions in supplies linked to the Iran conflict. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a notification allowing ad-hoc kerosene supply for cooking and lighting across 21 states and Union Territories with immediate effect.
Under the decision, select petrol pumps run by public-sector oil marketing companies — Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum — may store and sell kerosene to households. Each designated retail outlet can hold up to 5,000 litres, and up to two such service stations may be authorised per district. The scheme specifically targets states and UTs that had earlier become “kerosene-free”, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
The temporary provisions will remain in place for 60 days to manage short-term supply disruptions. In addition to petrol pumps, kerosene will be distributed through the existing ration‑shop network, with state governments urged to prioritise rural areas where alternative fuel access is limited.
The move responds to global energy supply tightness caused by conflicts in West Asia, which have affected LNG flows and raised the prospect of LPG shortages. To bolster supplies, the government has allocated an additional 48,000 kilolitres of kerosene to states over and above regular deliveries.
The ministry said safety and monitoring norms will continue to prevent diversion of PDS kerosene for adulteration. It also flagged kerosene and coal as alternative fuel options being promoted to relieve pressure on LPG demand and help ensure uninterrupted cooking and lighting supply for households. (IANS)
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/03/30/govt-eases-norms-to-fast-track-kerosene-supply/
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Publish Date: 2026-03-30 05:06:00
