New Delhi: The Centre has eased petroleum safety and licensing norms to fast-track the distribution of kerosene to households, as cooking fuel supplies face disruption due to the ongoing Iran war.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said in a notification that the relaxation would facilitate ad-hoc distribution of kerosene for cooking and lighting across 21 states and Union Territories.

Under the revised norms, select fuel stations operated by public sector oil companies such as Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited have been authorised to store and sell kerosene directly to consumers. Each outlet can stock up to 5,000 litres, with a maximum of two such stations permitted per district.

The measure targets regions that had earlier transitioned to being “kerosene-free,” including states like Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. These temporary provisions will remain in force for 60 days to tackle immediate supply shortages.

Apart from fuel stations, kerosene will also be supplied through the public distribution system, with states urged to prioritise rural areas.

The government’s move comes against the backdrop of global energy supply disruptions triggered by tensions in West Asia, which have impacted LNG availability and raised concerns over LPG shortages. To address this, an additional 48,000 kilolitres of kerosene have been allocated to states over and above their regular quota.

Officials said kerosene is being reintroduced as an alternative fuel to ensure uninterrupted access to cooking and lighting, particularly for vulnerable households.

The ministry assured that safety protocols and monitoring mechanisms would remain in place to prevent misuse or diversion of subsidised kerosene.

Meanwhile, alternative arrangements are also being put in place to ease pressure on LPG demand. The Ministry of Coal has directed Coal India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company Limited to increase coal supplies to states for distribution among small and medium consumers.

States have also been advised to expedite the rollout of new PNG connections for both domestic and commercial users.