Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday chaired the second meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) in New Delhi, where members reviewed the government’s response to the ongoing West Asia conflict. The meeting was attended by key Union ministers, including Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi, and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
During the discussion, Rajnath Singh welcomed the Centre’s move to limit the monthly rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices for domestic flights to 25 per cent. The new rule, effective from April 1, 2026, is expected to protect passengers from sudden increases in airfares.
No LPG shortage in country
Officials informed the group that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders across the country. Supplies are continuing as planned. However, some local disruptions were reported due to hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas. Authorities have since stepped up enforcement, carrying out inspections and taking action against those involved in irregular practices.
The government is also focusing on supporting vulnerable sections. Since March 23, more than 4.3 lakh small 5-kg LPG cylinders have been distributed, especially in high-demand regions. These efforts aim to assist migrant workers and households with lower consumption needs.
Ministers were told that the demand for commercial LPG from industries is being largely met, with supply maintained at over 80 per cent of normal levels. Public sector oil firms are continuing to ensure steady availability of Auto LPG across the country.
However, private suppliers are facing difficulties in sourcing fuel, which has led to shortages and longer queues at outlets run by public sector companies. As a temporary measure, users of dual-fuel vehicles have been advised to switch to petrol wherever possible.
To manage rising demand, daily LPG deliveries have been increased. At the same time, industries are being encouraged to use Piped Natural Gas (PNG), which remains available without interruption in areas where it is already in use.
Citizens asked to avoid panic-buying
The meeting also raised concerns about the spread of false information on social media. Officials warned that misleading posts and altered images are creating unnecessary panic. Citizens have been advised to rely only on verified information and avoid sharing rumours.
This was the second IGoM meeting on the issue. The first was held on March 28, when Singh had asked officials to closely monitor the situation and ensure coordinated action while planning for long-term stability.
