The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has issued notices to the Central Government, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) after several LPG distributors filed a petition alleging inadequate supply of domestic cooking gas cylinders. The court has asked the authorities to respond to the plea and scheduled the next hearing for March 17.
Why the Petition Was Filed
The case was filed by six LPG distributors linked to Confidence Petroleum India Limited, who claimed that they are receiving insufficient domestic LPG cylinders to meet consumer demand. According to the petitioners, repeated requests to increase the supply of household cylinders have not been addressed.
The distributors argued that despite government directives to prioritize domestic LPG distribution, the supply to households has not been increased. They also urged authorities to temporarily halt LPG exports and divert supplies to the domestic market to ease the shortage.
Global Conflict Impacting LPG Supply
The petition highlighted that the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran and Israel have disrupted global energy supply chains. These disruptions have affected crude oil movement from countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which in turn has reduced LPG production and supply.
As a result, distributors claim they are unable to meet the demand for LPG cylinders across several areas, particularly in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, where the shortage is reportedly affecting households and businesses alike.
What the Court Said
A bench comprising Justice Anil S. Kilor and Justice Raj D. Wakode noted that the issue raised in the petition is “serious and of grave importance.” The court directed the concerned authorities to file their replies before the next hearing.
In the interim, the High Court also ordered that storage and distribution of LPG cylinders must strictly follow the government’s policy, which prioritizes domestic consumers during supply disruptions.
Wider LPG Concerns Across India
The case comes at a time when several parts of India are experiencing delays and disruptions in LPG cylinder deliveries. Surveys indicate that more than half of households have reported delivery delays or supply issues in recent days, raising concerns about availability.
With demand rising and global energy supply chains under pressure, authorities are expected to closely monitor the situation and ensure that domestic LPG supply remains stable.
