New Delhi, March 17 Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan on Tuesday sought to reassure the sector about disruptions in LPG supply, saying the shortage was "not a major concern now," even as the government remains on alert over the escalating crisis in West Asia.
Commercial LPG supply has been significantly reduced, with businesses limited to just 20 percent of their average monthly consumption, as the government prioritizes domestic household cooking gas in the wake of significant supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
"Right now, it is not a major concern. Yes, precautionary measures are being taken, but we need to remain vigilant," Paswan told reporters on the sidelines of an Assocham event on nutraceuticals.
Offering reassurance to the industry, the minister said, "I assure that, as of now, the situation is under control. However, we need to remain vigilant and monitor the situation."
LPG is a critical input for India's food processing sector, powering everything from deep fryers and ovens to drying and sterilization units in plants that produce snacks, namkeens, biscuits, dairy products, and packaged foods.
Its supply disruption has raised concerns about the continuity of production across a wide range of processed food categories.
The government, Paswan said, is actively monitoring the situation to ensure that LPG supply is maintained, given the war conditions in West Asia.