Officials said the change is a way to manage how much is wanted, and lowers the chance of people buying gas just to make a profit. Shorter times between bookings made people worry that gas for homes was being sent to the black market, or to businesses.
Why the LPG booking time was lengthened
Problems with supply also played a part. Trouble in the Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz being closed, made the chance of supply stops greater. The government sees a little longer booking time as an easy, quick way to limit made-up shortages.
What oil companies were told, and giving first place to LPG for use in India
The government has told oil companies to make more LPG, and to give first place to LPG for use in India, not for business. Officials made clear that homes will still be the main thing, while production is increased to meet what is wanted.
Oil companies are being looked at for how much more they can make, and changes in how it is given out. The goal is to use what is already there more efficiently so people in India do not have shortages when there is a world supply problem, or sudden local storing up of gas.
Getting LPG from other countries and new LPG partners
To get supply from more places, a number of countries have come forward to India to sell LPG, the government said. Countries including Algeria, Australia, Canada, and Norway have shown they are interested in giving LPG amounts to help build up stores.
Officials are speeding up work to get other supply routes and deals that lower dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. Getting more suppliers involved seeks to build a store of LPG brought in, and lower risks tied to any one shipping point where things can be held up.
How the rise in LPG price affects people who use it
The longer booking time comes after a Rs 60 rise in the price of LPG for homes, the second rise in less than a year. LPG which is not helped by the government in Delhi now costs Rs 913 for a 14.2-kg gas bottle, up from Rs 853 before, according to the prices of the companies themselves.
Homes which are part of the Ujjwala Yojana will see the same price rise, but will go on getting help with the price. After a Rs 300 help per refill, people who are allowed to get it will pay Rs 613 for a 14.2-kg gas bottle for up to 12 refills each year. Officials said the longer booking time and supply work are balancing steps to protect people while world energy costs are higher.
What is likely to happen to petrol, diesel and fuel for planes
Officials said petrol and diesel prices are not likely to go up unless rough oil goes past about USD 130 a barrel. With what is being looked at now pointing to about USD 100 a barrel, officials think what is already stored, and money help at companies owned by the state, can take on short-term price pressures.
The government also said there is enough Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) – fuel for planes – noting that India makes and sends out ATF. Officials asked people to be calm about fuel for planes, and said there should be no shortages at airports.
Policy steps include getting rough oil by other routes more quickly, and making the lists of suppliers wider. These steps aim to protect fuel for use in India and keep people safe from sudden world shocks tied to trouble in certain parts of the world.
The work together – lengthening the LPG booking time, making oil companies make more, giving first place to gas bottles for homes, and getting more from other countries – seeks to keep the fuel market in the country stable. Officials stress the steps are to stop things before they happen, and made to keep cooking gas and fuel steady for normal people.
