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

1. What is the Big News?

Because of the ongoing war in West Asia, the Strait of Hormuz (a very narrow sea route) has become dangerous for trade ships.

• The Huge Risk: A massive 80% of India’s cooking gas (LPG) comes from other countries through this single sea route.
• The Government’s Action: Fearing that ships might be attacked and our gas supply might stop, the government has ordered Indian oil factories to quickly produce more cooking gas locally, instead of making other items like jet fuel or road tar.

2. How is Cooking Gas Made? (Simple Science)

For your UPSC Science notes, just remember these simple facts:

• Not Mined Directly: We do not dig cooking gas directly from the ground in its final form.
• It is a Byproduct: When thick, raw crude oil is boiled in huge factory towers to make petrol and diesel, light gases escape from the very top. These gases are collected to make LPG.
• The Chemicals: It is mainly a mix of two highly catch-fire gases: Propane and Butane.
• Why “Liquefied”? Gas takes up too much space. So, it is pressed very tightly (high pressure) until it turns into a liquid. This way, a lot of it can easily fit inside the heavy red cylinders delivered to your home.

3. How Can the Government Force Factories?

You might wonder how the government can legally order private and public factories to change what they make.

• The Law: They use a strong law called the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).
• Public Protection: This law gives the government the power to ensure that the supply of “essential items” (like daily water, electricity, and basic fuel) never stops for the common man during a war or emergency.

UPSC Value Box

With reference to domestic fuels and energy security in India, consider the following statements:

1. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is primarily a byproduct obtained during the refining of crude oil.
2. The main chemical component of domestic cooking gas (LPG) is Methane.
3. The Essential Services Maintenance Act gives the government power to ensure the continuous supply of critical public utilities like fuel.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)