Government Synchronizes West Asia Response: Fuel Supplies Stabilize and Pharma Prices Hold Firm Amid Crisis
FTL Cylinder Sales Surge Past 1.06 Lakh as Enforcement Agencies Seize Hundreds in Nationwide Anti-Hoarding Raids
NEW DELHI, April 09, 2026: In a comprehensive inter-ministerial briefing at the National Media Centre, the Government of India detailed a robust, multi-sectoral strategy to mitigate the impact of the evolving situation in West Asia.
Officials from the Ministries of Petroleum, External Affairs, and Pharmaceuticals confirmed that despite global supply chain disruptions affecting solvents and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), there has been no major increase in the sale prices of drugs and pharmaceuticals in the country.
To protect the industry, the Department of Revenue has reduced customs duty to zero on 40 petrochemical products. The government is ensuring the uninterrupted availability of critical inputs like propylene, ammonia, and methanol by coordinating with refineries and fertilizer units, specifically to maintain the production of life-saving medicines such as Ibuprofen, Metformin, and Aspirin.
On the energy front, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas reported that domestic LPG and PNG supplies remain normal, with a prioritized focus on hospitals and educational institutions. To prevent the illegal diversion of subsidized fuel, the use of the Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) has been scaled up to cover 92% of all deliveries.
A significant milestone was achieved yesterday with the sale of over 1.06 Lakh 5kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders, marking a substantial increase over the daily average of 77,000 recorded in February 2026.
This surge reflects the government’s targeted effort to support migrant laborers and students during the crisis. Simultaneously, the transition to cleaner fuels is gaining momentum, with more than 18,000 PNG consumers surrendering their LPG connections via the official portal as part of a long-term energy security strategy.
To curb hoarding and black marketing, enforcement agencies have intensified daily drives across the country. In the last 24 hours alone, authorities conducted more than 3,300 raids, resulting in the seizure of approximately 600 cylinders. To date, more than 1.16 Lakh raids have been carried out nationwide.
PSU Oil Marketing Companies have also strengthened internal monitoring, issuing over 1,870 show-cause notices, imposing penalties on 189 LPG distributorships, and suspending 53 others for non-compliance. These measures are complemented by the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order 2026, which provides a streamlined framework for expanding pipeline infrastructure and enhancing last-mile connectivity.
Regarding maritime safety and the welfare of Indian nationals, the government confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf remain safe. The India-flagged vessel Green Asha safely reached the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority today after crossing the Strait of Hormuz on April 5. On the diplomatic front, the External Affairs Minister is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates from April 11–12 to review bilateral cooperation, while the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas is currently visiting Qatar.
The Embassy of India in Tehran has successfully facilitated the movement of 2,170 Indian nationals, including 971 students and 657 fishermen, from Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan for their onward journey home. Citizens are advised to rely on official sources and avoid panic purchasing as the government continues to monitor the regional situation round-the-clock.