PM Modi-led CCS reviews supply chains, energy security amid West Asia conflict

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review measures being taken by various ministries and departments in the backdrop of the ongoing West Asia conflict.

This was the second special CCS meeting on the issue, held at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.

"Reviewed the steps being taken by various Ministries and Departments in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict and also discussed the next set of initiatives to be taken. Aspects relating to sectors like energy, agriculture, fertilisers, aviation, shipping and logistics were discussed," Prime Minister Modi posted on X.

According to an official statement, the committee reviewed interventions across agriculture, fertilisers, shipping, aviation, logistics and MSMEs to mitigate emerging challenges arising from the conflict.

The Cabinet Secretary briefed the panel on steps taken to ensure adequate availability of petroleum products, particularly LPG and LNG, and sufficient power supply.

“Sources are being diversified for procurement of LPG with new inflows from different countries. Similarly, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is being sourced from different countries,” the statement said.

He apprised the panel on the unchanged LPG prices for domestic consumers, and the anti-diversion enforcement being regularly carried out to curb hoarding and black marketing.

The CCS reviewed measures including fuel duty reduction and steps in the power sector, such as exempting gas-based power plants of 7–8 GW capacity from the gas pooling mechanism and increasing coal rake supplies to thermal plants, to ensure adequate electricity during peak summer months.

The government said “enough coal stock exists which shall serve power needs adequately in coming months”.

Efforts to expand piped natural gas (PNG) connections are also underway, according to the readout.

The Prime Minister also reviewed the availability of fertilisers for the upcoming Kharif and Rabi seasons.

The government is maintaining urea production and coordinating with overseas suppliers for DAP and NPKS to ensure adequate availability. State governments have been asked to take strict action against hoarding, diversion and black marketing through daily monitoring and raids.

The CCS took stock of global efforts to diversify sources of energy, fertilisers and supply chains, along with international initiatives to ensure safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Modi assessed the availability of critical needs for the common man and directed all departments to “take all possible measures to ameliorate the problems of citizens and sectors affected by the ongoing global situation”.

He emphasised that “all efforts must be made to safeguard the citizens from the impact of this conflict” and underlined the need for “timely & smooth flow of authentic information to the public to prevent misinformation and rumour mongering”.