New Delhi, April 3: The central government is set to reduce cooking gas consumption by increasing domestic production of induction heaters and related appliances. On Friday, top officials, including the Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Secretary of Power, and the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), convened a high-level meeting to discuss this initiative.
The meeting addressed the disruptions in the global supply chain due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, focusing on measures to boost the production of induction heaters and cooking appliances to decrease reliance on cooking gas.
Since the onset of the crisis in West Asia, there has been a significant rise in demand for induction heaters and other electric products. A senior official noted that if the conflict persists, India must be prepared to tackle potential challenges.
This meeting comes at a time when the government is assessing the impact of a prolonged conflict on imports, particularly concerning oil, gas, and petrochemical products.
To maintain supply and alleviate cost pressures, the government has already reduced import duties on several petrochemical products. Sources indicate that the primary focus is to ensure the availability of essential products and reduce import dependency amid global uncertainties.
Uncertainty regarding oil and gas supplies from the Middle East has increased following damage to a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Qatar. Additionally, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for approximately 20% of the world’s energy supply, is nearly closed.
In response to this situation, India has diversified its oil import sources, now purchasing more crude oil from Russia, Nigeria, and Angola. Indian companies are also sourcing gas from the United States.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues in West Asia. U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the U.S. military would launch a “very strong strike” against Iran in the next 2-3 weeks. He also claimed that the U.S. would return Iran to the “Stone Age,” referring to their previous state of affairs.
Hours later, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on social media, stating, “At that time, there was neither oil nor gas production in the Middle East.”
Trump’s warning comes as the conflict enters its second month, with ongoing U.S. military deployments in the region. Iran has dismissed reports of a ceasefire and a 15-point peace plan as “highly one-sided and impractical.”
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
Leave a Comment