Energy crisis amid Middle East tensions: Government pushes to scale up induction heater production

With energy costs rising amid growing tensions in the Middle East, the Centre has introduced measures to boost domestic production of induction heaters as part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on conventional gas-based cooking systems.According to a government source cited by ANI, the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) on Thursday held a high-level inter-ministerial meeting to work out a strategy for scaling up production of induction heaters and related cookware within the country. The meeting saw participation from DPIIT secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, power secretary Pankaj Agrawal, director general of foreign trade (DGFT) Lav Agarwal, along with senior officials from several ministries. Discussions focused on accelerating the full manufacturing chain for induction-based appliances, including associated crockery, the source said.The exercise follows a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting held on Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sources said PM Modi had directed ministries to "foresee the future and plan today," highlighting the need for advance planning in an uncertain geopolitical situation.Officials also reviewed supply chains for petrochemical products and gunny bags (bori bags), with concerns that prolonged conflict in the Middle East could disrupt availability."If the war continues for a few months, we need to be prepared," a source familiar with the matter said.India imports a large share of its crude oil and LPG requirements from the Gulf region, and authorities are considering a shift towards electric cooking solutions like induction technology to help ease pressure on household energy consumption.In parallel, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Thursday that it is also working to expand Piped Natural Gas (PNG) coverage to reduce dependence on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East.Meanwhile, Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the ministry, had earlier stated that efforts are underway to push PNG adoption across the country. "The Indian government has taken several steps to promote PNG connections. This is also important because it will help ease the pressure on LPG," Sharma said.