New Delhi: Amid reports of LPG shortages across the country, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said in parliament that there was no shortage despite disruptions due to the conflict in West Asia. Puri said that “domestic supply is fully protected and the delivery cycle is unchanged,” adding that the Narendra Modi government’s “foremost priority is the kitchen of India’s 33 crore families.”In response to reports of LPG shortages, Puri said “panic booking and hoarding at the distributor and retail level (was) driven by consumer anxiety rather than any supply shortage” and that the country has “sufficient gas production and supply arrangements to sustain this position even in the event of a prolonged conflict”.While these were his first public remarks amid questions surrounding India’s energy security, Puri said that this was not a “moment for rumour mongering or fake narratives” and “India must stand united behind the energy warriors, behind the institution managing the crisis and behind the national interests”.Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri speaks in the Lok Sabha during the second part of Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, March 12, 2026. Image: Screengrab from Sansad TV, via PTI Photo.Puri’s remarks came after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi sought to mention the LPG crisis in the country in light of the conflict and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz that has disrupted supply chains. The opposition has been demanding a discussion in the House since the second half of the Budget Session started on Monday.Gandhi’s speech on Thursday was cut short by Speaker Om Birla after he referred to Puri’s links with convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Throughout Puri’s about fourteen minute long statement opposition members chanted “Epstein, Epstein”.In his response, Puri referred to other nations in India’s neighbourhood and said that “the way in which other nations are managing the consequences places India’s response in sharpest relief”.“The world has not faced a moment like this in modern energy history. Today is the 13th day when the passage through the Strait of Hormuz through which 20% of world’s crude, natural gas and LPG flows were disrupted following the military operations between Iran, Israel and the US. For the first time in recorded history the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed for commercial use. Despite not having any role in the conflict, India has to navigate its consequences. The way in which other nations are managing the consequences places India’s response in sharpest relief,” he said.Puri said that while countries in Asia have had to take energy rationing and conservation measures, “India’s crude supply position is secure”. He said:India’s crude supply position is secure, and the volume secured exceeds what the Hormuz would have delivered. Before the crisis, approximately 45% of India’s crude imports transited through the Hormuz route. Thanks to the Prime Minister’s outstanding diplomatic outreach and goodwill, India has secured crude volumes that exceed what the disrupted Strait of Hormuz could have delivered in the same period.The minister said “structural diversification built through sustained policy over successive years has given us options that other nations find themselves without” and said that there is “no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil”.Non-Hormuz sourcing has risen to approximately 70% of crude imports, up from 55% before the conflict began. India’s sources grew from 40 countries as against 27 in 2006 and 2007. This structural diversification built through sustained policy over successive years has given us options that other nations find themselves without.“The refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation. In several cases, they are exceeding 100%. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation, turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is fully assured. Retail outlets across the country are stocked and supply chains for these products are functioning normally.”Puri said that even in the event of prolonged conflict, India has “sufficient gas production and supply arrangements.”“India has sufficient gas production and supply arrangements to sustain this position even in the event of a prolonged conflict. Power generation for every household and for industry is fully protected,” he said.“India was previously importing 60% of LPG from Gulf countries and 40% is produced domestically. Procurement has now been actively diversified with cargoes being secured from the United States, Norway, Canada, Algeria and Russia in addition to Gulf sources.”Referring to the LPG shortages reported across the country, Puri said that domestic supply is protected while “panic booking and hoarding at the distributor and retail level driven by consumer anxiety rather than any supply shortage.”“In the last five days, LPG production has been increased by 28% through refinery directives and further procurement is actually underway. The Modi government’s foremost priority is that the kitchen of India’s 33 crore families, especially the poor and the underprivileged, do not face any shortage,” he said.File photo of Congress party leaders in Kolkata, West Bengal, demanding Petrolum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s resignation after his name featured in the ‘Epstein Files’. Photo: PTI.“Domestic supply is fully protected and the delivery cycle is unchanged. The standard time for booking to delivery is 2.5 days and remains unchanged. Hospitals and education institutions have been placed on uninterrupted priority supply. Field reports show panic booking and hoarding at the distributor and retail level driven by consumer anxiety rather than any supply shortage.”Puri said that a grey market had been operating during this supply constraint environment which has led to hoarding, diversion and resale at high prices. The minister said a three-member committee comprising executive directors of government-owned IOCL, HPCL and BPCL has been constituted, meetings have been held and in coordination with state governments will ensure that there is no hoarding.While this was his first public remarks on the issue, Puri said that this is not the time for rumour mongering, and said India must “stand united behind the energy warriors, behind the institution managing the crisis, and behind the national interests.”“This is not the moment for rumour mongering or fake narratives. India is navigating the most severe global energy disruption in recorded history. Crude supply is flowing, gas is prioritised for homes and farms, LPG production has been stepped up by 28%,” he said.“India must stand united behind the energy warriors, behind the institution managing the crisis, and behind the national interests. The record of preparation and response speak for themselves.”