New Delhi, March 10, IPU Media Update News : In the wake of tensions in West Asia, the center has taken a key decision to ensure that natural gas supply in the country is not disrupted. As part of this, the ‘Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA)’ has been implemented. This decision has been taken to avoid creating artificial shortages of petrol, diesel and gas. The petroleum department has recently implemented ESMA-Act to ensure that the supply of these is not disrupted and that the distribution is equitable.

It has been clarified that 100 percent distribution of gas supply to households and CNG supply to vehicles should be ensured. It has been stated in this that tea industries, manufacturing and industrial consumers connected through the natural gas grid should be provided with 80 percent of the average supply of the last 6 months. It has been suggested that 80 percent of the supply of the last 6 months should be provided to industrial and commercial natural gas consumers and 70 percent of the average supply of the last 6 months should be provided to fertilizer factories. It has ordered every producer, importer, transporter and distributor to provide information related to production, imports, stocks, allocation, supply and consumption to the central government.

The government is taking precautionary measures through ESMA – Act to ensure that the current international geopolitical situation does not affect India. There are about 33.8 crore LPG consumers in India. The government hopes that even if prices increase in the international market or supply decreases due to war, there will be no problems domestically. ‘ESMA’ will not cause any delay in the delivery of gas cylinders or the availability of fuel at petrol pumps. The smooth running of the supply chain can prevent sudden increases in prices. Experts say that this step taken by the government is like a protective shield to face the uncertainty arising due to war.

** ESMA Act means – !**
The ESMA Act was enacted in 1968. The main purpose of this act is to ensure that there is no disruption in the essential services essential to the daily life of the people. The Central Government has brought this Act with the aim of ensuring that citizens get essential commodities at affordable prices, preventing artificial shortages, controlling black marketing and hoarding. This Act is particularly helpful in maintaining food security and keeping retail inflation under control. Under Section-3 of this Act, the Central Government has the power to regulate the production, supply and distribution of essential commodities. It imposes restrictions on the stock limit and determines prices in order to maintain market stability. Section-5 of the Act allows the Central and State Governments and authorities to delegate the powers granted to it under Section-3. However, while this Act is in force, workers in the relevant sectors will not be allowed to go on strikes. The Government has the power to arrest those who disrupt services without a warrant. Transport, health, electricity and fuel supply are basic in ESMA-Act

Meanwhile, the Central Government has already taken strong steps to regulate the supply of cooking gas across the country. The Centre has increased the minimum period between booking two gas cylinders from 21 days to 25 days to check illegal storage and black marketing of gas cylinders. Officials have found that even consumers who used to book cylinders once every 55 days are now booking them only 15 days in advance. They said that the latest rules had to be brought due to this concern among the people. The government has ordered oil refineries to immediately increase LPG production to avoid gas shortage in the country. The government has made it clear to oil companies that they should give top priority to domestic LPG connections over commercial needs. The imported gas will be supplied to emergency departments like hospitals and educational institutions on a priority basis. The Centre has recently invoked the Essential Commodities Act to avoid creating artificial shortages.

— M Venkata T Reddy,News Editor And Investigative Journalist