The second session of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) took place on April 2, 2025, at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This meeting aimed to assess the developing situation in West Asia and explore potential measures to minimise its impact on India. Key ministers from various sectors attended, indicating the comprehensive approach being adopted by the government.

Among the attendees were Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Hardeep Singh Puri, Manohar Lal, Jagat Prakash Nadda, S Jaishankar, Prahlad Joshi, Jitendra Singh, and Ashwini Vaishnaw. Discussions covered significant issues arising from the ongoing conflict and the contingent actions necessary to address potential repercussions for the country.

Government’s Response to Crisis Management

During the meeting, the IGoM received updates from the seven Empowered Groups of Secretaries regarding various strategies being implemented to deal with the crisis. The discussions highlighted actions taken by the Ministry of Finance to mitigate challenges stemming from global trade disruptions, which aim to provide support to key industries, particularly in manufacturing.

Recent notifications included customs duty exemptions on 40 essential petrochemical products up to June 30, 2025. Additionally, a one-time relief measure was announced for specific entities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), allowing them to sell manufactured goods in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at reduced customs rates from April 1 to March 31, 2026. These initiatives are intended to alleviate cost pressures and ensure stability for investors and downstream sectors such as textiles and pharmaceuticals.

Furthermore, the government has applied a 25 per cent cap on monthly increases in Aviation Turbine Fuel prices for domestic flights, effective from April 1, 2026, aimed at safeguarding consumers from sudden fare hikes.

Ensuring Essential Supplies and Monitoring Malpractices

The IGoM prioritised ensuring the availability of domestic LPG amid rising demand triggered by panic buying. The government confirmed that refinery production had been augmented to meet consumption needs, with no reports of dry-out at distributorships. Normal deliveries of domestic LPG cylinders are continuing, although supply disruptions have been linked to instances of hoarding and black marketing.

To address these issues, enforcement actions have been initiated to combat hoarding, with operations conducted across various States and Union Territories. The government has also focused on ensuring a steady supply of 5 kg Free Trade LPG cylinders, specifically targeted at low-consumption households and migrant labourers, with over 4.3 lakh cylinders provided since March 23. Efforts to manage the demand in high-usage states are ongoing.

Regarding industrial requirements, the IGoM reported that over 80 per cent of pre-crisis LPG supply levels were being maintained. Special consultations have been held with relevant ministries and stakeholders to accommodate the needs of different industries. Additionally, state-owned Oil PSUs are working to ensure the steady availability of Auto LPG nationwide, despite challenges faced by private operators.

Steps have been implemented to enhance the delivery capacity of LPG to address consumer demands effectively. Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is also being promoted as an alternative for industrial usage, helping to ensure operational continuity across sectors.

The IGoM highlighted the necessity of addressing misinformation circulating on social media. Reports indicate that certain individuals have been creating panic by disseminating false information and images. Public advisories have been issued urging citizens to rely on official sources for updates rather than unverified content.

The inaugural IGoM meeting took place on March 28, 2025, where Singh stressed the importance of continuous monitoring and rapid decision-making in the face of evolving situations.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share