Relevance: GS II (Governance) & GS III (Energy Security) | Source: The Hindu / Indian Express

Context : Due to the ongoing war in West Asia, a narrow and highly important sea route called the Strait of Hormuz has become unsafe. Ships bringing cooking gas (LPG) to India are stuck there.

  • Heavy Import Dependency: India produces very little LPG locally. We buy (import) almost 60% of our cooking gas from the Middle East. 
    • This sea blockage has caused a sudden shortage of gas cylinders in our cities.
  • Strict Government Action: To stop illegal hoarding and black marketing by sellers, the government has used a strict law called the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. 
    • Also, Indian oil factories (refineries) are strictly ordered to focus only on making household cooking gas.
  • Finding New Partners: To avoid such panic in the future, India is now planning to buy gas from the USA and Norway, instead of relying only on one region.

UPSC Value Box

Key Term / Law Simple Meaning for Exam
Strait of Hormuz A highly important, narrow sea passage connecting the Middle East to the Arabian Sea. Most of the world’s oil and gas ships must pass through it.
Essential Commodities Act, 1955 A strict Indian law that gives the government power to control the supply and price of daily-need items (like food and fuel) during emergencies so the public is not cheated.
PM Ujjwala Yojana A major government scheme that provides clean cooking gas (LPG) connections to poor households, which has massively increased India’s total gas demand.

With reference to energy security and geography, consider the following statements:

  1. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
  2. India currently meets more than 80% of its domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) demand through local production.
  3. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 allows the Central Government to regulate the supply and prices of specified goods during crises.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c)

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Recent Posts

Start Yours at Ajmal IAS – with Mentorship StrategyDisciplineClarityResults that Drives Success

Your dream deserves this moment — begin it here.