**Executive Summary**
On April 08, 2026, the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM), led by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, met to assess India’s readiness and supply chain resilience in response to the evolving situation in West Asia. The meeting focused on ensuring the uninterrupted availability of energy, fertilizers, and essential food commodities while monitoring global price volatility. Key directives include prioritizing fuel for industrial sectors and maintaining robust food buffer stocks to safeguard against potential conflict-related disruptions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Energy Security and Fuel Management**
* **Maritime Stability:** India successfully evacuated eight LPG vessels (340TM) from the Strait of Hormuz over the past 40 days, securing approximately 11 days of import requirements.
* **Industrial Allocation:** A major decision was made on April 8 to allocate 70% of fuel demand to non-domestic bulk consumers, prioritizing sectors such as pharma, food, steel, and defense.
* **Domestic Support:** The supply of 5kg Free Trade LPG cylinders for vulnerable communities and migrant laborers was doubled beyond the standard 20% allocation on April 7.
* **PNG Transition:** Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections saw a three-fold increase over March 2025 levels, with over 16,700 citizens surrendering LPG connections in favor of PNG.
**Food Security and Market Intervention**
* **Buffer Stocks:** Adequate reserves of rice and wheat are maintained to meet Public Distribution System (PDS) and emergency requirements under the National Food Security Act.
* **Price Control:** The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is prepared to release surplus stocks via the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) to stabilize prices and contain inflation.
* **Procurement:** Wheat procurement for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026–27 has commenced under Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations in coordination with State agencies.
* **Specific Commodities:** Onion procurement for price stabilization buffers is set to begin via NAFED and NCCF, while sugar production for 2025-26 is projected to remain sufficient for both domestic use and permitted exports.
**Monitoring and Logistics**
* **Price Tracking:** The Department of Consumer Affairs is monitoring daily prices of 40 food commodities across 578 centers to detect unusual volatility caused by the Middle East conflict.
* **Packaging Diversification:** Proactive steps are being taken to diversify packaging sources for foodgrains to prevent shortfalls during the 2026–27 marketing season.
**Impact Analysis**
**Industrial Sectors (Pharma, Food, Steel, Defence, etc.)**
**Impact**
These sectors are prioritized for 70% of non-domestic bulk fuel demand to prevent supply-chain disruptions and ensure operational continuity.
**Action Required**
Key industries must coordinate with supply agencies to manage their allocated fuel resources and maintain production levels despite the global crisis.
**Vulnerable Communities and Migrant Labourers**
**Impact**
Increased access to essential energy through the doubling of 5kg LPG cylinder allocations and guaranteed foodgrains through the National Food Security Act.
**Action Required**
Targeted groups should utilize the increased availability of Free Trade LPG cylinders and continued PDS supplies.
**Government Agencies (FCI, NAFED, NCCF)**
**Impact**
These agencies are responsible for market interventions to stabilize prices and managing the procurement of wheat and onions.
**Action Required**
Agencies must continue monitoring price trends, release surplus stocks into the open market as needed, and finalize preparations for upcoming procurement cycles.
**Domestic Energy Consumers**
**Impact**
Consumers are experiencing a shift toward PNG, reducing reliance on LPG and contributing to national energy security.
**Action Required**
Citizens in feasible areas are encouraged to adopt PNG connections and surrender LPG connections as part of the ongoing national campaign.
Key Entities Referenced
Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM): A high-level committee chaired by the Raksha Mantri tasked with reviewing India’s readiness and supply chain resilience in response to the West Asia crisis.
National Food Security Act: The primary legislation ensuring foodgrain access to vulnerable populations, cited as a key pillar for food security preparedness during the conflict.
Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) - OMSS (D): A government initiative utilized for market intervention to release surplus wheat and rice into the open market to stabilize prices and contain inflation.
Food Corporation of India (FCI): The central agency responsible for maintaining buffer stocks and executing market interventions through the release of foodgrains.
West Asia: The central geographic region whose evolving security situation is the primary driver for the reported government preparedness and energy security measures.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri-led IGoM takes stock of India’s
readiness in view of evolving West Asia situation
Focus must remain on preparedness, coordination &
resilience building: Shri Rajnath Singh
“Govt is ensuring continued availability of LPG, petrol, diesel
& fertilisers and facilitating supply of essential commodities”
Posted On: 08 APR 2026 9:25PM by PIB Delhi
The Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM), headed by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, took stock of
India’s readiness in view of the recent developments in West Asia during its third meeting at Kartavya
Bhawan-2, New Delhi on April 08, 2026. Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt Nirmala
Sitharaman; Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar; Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and
Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal;
Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda; Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri; Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Prahlad Joshi;
Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini
Vaishnaw; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju; Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Kinjarapu
Rammohan Naidu, and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology
Dr Jitendra Singh attended the meeting.In his remarks, Raksha Mantri directed all departments to continue focusing on preparedness,
coordination, and resilience building to stay ready to deal with any eventuality. In a post on X, he stated
that the Government is ensuring continued availability of LPG, petrol and diesel, fertilisers for farmers
and facilitating supply of essential commodities in the country. The Government, under the leadership of
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been doing exceptional work in safeguarding the citizens from
the impact of the conflict, he said.
https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/2041851021878780245?s=46
The iGoM was informed that India has ensured the evacuation of the highest number of vessels than any
other country, from the Strait of Hormuz over the past 40 days. A total of 8 LPG vessels, carrying
approximately 340TM, equivalent to around 11 days of India’s import requirement have successfully
transited the Strait, reinforcing the country’s energy security and supply stability. There have been no
reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG cylinders continues despite all
across the country.
In order to support the vulnerable communities including migrant labourers, the supply of 5kg Free Trade
LPG cylinders has been doubled beyond the 20% allocation earmarked for priority segments on 7 April.
Oil PSU retail pump outlets continue to dispense auto LPG to support the public transportation
requirements. However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their
procurement challenges, causing increased footfall in PSU outlets.
A major decision was taken on 8 April to further ease supply of LPG to industrial segments by allocating
70% of fuel demand to non-domestic bulk consumers with supply prioritised for key sectors such as
pharma, food, polymers, agriculture, packaging, paints, steel, defence-related materials, etc. This measure
is expected to prevent supply-chain disruptions, avoid shortages of essential goods and ensure continuity
of industrial operations despite the ongoing global crisis.
Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is being actively promoted wherever feasible. Owing to the increased awareness
from the PNG connection campaign launched to reduce LPG dependence, 3.16 lakh new PNG
connections were added, representing a three fold increase over March 2025 levels.The campaign has also
resulted in the surrender of 16,700+ LPG connections by citizens, indicating a growing shift toward PNG
adoption.
The IGoM was also briefed about the easing in energy prices in the light of the ceasefire. The Ministers
were informed that key sectoral parameters will continue to be closely monitored and appropriate
measures will be taken.
The IGoM was also apprised about the adequate measures taken by the Department of Food and Public
Distribution.
Food Security Preparedness
Adequate buffer stocks of rice and wheat are available, ensuring sufficient supply for PDS as well as to
meet any emergency requirements. The National Food Security Act ensures continued access to
foodgrains for vulnerable populations.
Market Intervention: Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) - OMSS (D)
The Government monitors foodgrain prices and, when necessary, undertakes market intervention through
OMSS (D). The Food Corporation of India (FCI) releases surplus wheat and rice in the open market to
augment supply, stabilise prices, and contain inflation. Adequate stocks are available with FCI for such
interventions. The scheme also enables the sale of rice to the State Governments at subsidised fixed prices
for additional requirements.Procurement: Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2026–27
Procurement of wheat under MSP operations has started, primarily through State Government agencies.
The Department is regularly reviewing preparedness in coordination with States. Adequate packaging
material is being ensured for procurement operations.
Foodgrain Packaging
Proactive steps have been taken to ensure the availability of packaging materials during RMS 2026–27.
The Department, in consultation with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Department of
Chemicals and Petrochemicals, is diversifying packaging sources and maintaining contingency measures
to address any shortfall.
Edible Oil Scenario
Domestic availability of edible oils remains comfortable despite global uncertainties. Imports from key
partners (Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, Brazil) continue steadily. Improved mustard production has
strengthened domestic supply. Overall supply remains stable; the Government continues close monitoring
and will intervene if required.
Sugar Sector
Adequate sugar buffer stock is available. Sugar production in 2025-26 is expected to remain sufficient.
15.80 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of sugar has been permitted for export, with 3.73 LMT exported so far.
Exports are primarily to Sri Lanka, West Asia, and East Africa. Retail prices remain stable, with low
inflation (~3%) over the past three years.
The Ministers were informed that the Department of Consumer Affairs is monitoring the daily prices of 40
food commodities reported from 578 centres across the country. Price trends are closely monitored for
unusual volatility consequent to the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Till now, no unusual volatility is
observed and prices are stable for most commodities, except moderate increase in prices of edible oils.
Domestic production of mustard oil is expected to improve (~5% higher output), partially offsetting
import dependence. Procurement of onion for price stabilisation buffer will begin shortly, which will
provide support to the mandi prices. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India
Limited and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited have started preparation for the
procurement. Onion export during the Financial Year 2025-26 at 15.40 LMT was more than previous year
and is expected to further improve this year.SR/Savvy
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