Maharashtra: The Bombay High Court notice on domestic LPG cylinder supply has drawn national attention after gas distributors approached the court claiming that households are not receiving enough cooking gas cylinders.
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has now asked the Central Government and other authorities to respond to the issue, which distributors say is affecting consumers due to supply disruptions and export priorities.
The petition highlights concerns that domestic LPG availability may be insufficient despite government policies that require priority supply for household use. The court has treated the matter as serious and has scheduled further hearings while directing authorities to follow existing government policies on LPG distribution.
Background of LPG Supply Controversy
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court issued notices to the Union Government, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Confidence Petroleum India Limited while hearing a petition filed by six LPG distributors.
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The case is titled M/s Omkar Sales and Others v. Union of India (WP 2165/2026).
The bench, consisting of Justice Anil S. Kilor and Justice Raj D. Wakode, asked the authorities to submit their replies regarding the alleged shortage of domestic LPG cylinders.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 17.
LPG Supply Controversy: Why LPG Distributors Approached the Court
The petition was filed by six LPG distributors associated with Confidence Petroleum India Limited.
They claimed that:
- Domestic LPG cylinder supply has become insufficient in several areas.
- Requests made by distributors to increase supply were allegedly ignored.
- Export of LPG is continuing even during a domestic supply crunch.
- The shortage is affecting households and distributors’ operations.
According to the petitioners, the situation is causing hardship to consumers, especially in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, where distributors say supply disruptions have become severe.
What are the Reasons of LPG Supply Controversy
The plea states that the global oil supply chain has been affected by geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict involving Iran and other Middle-East suppliers.
This disruption has affected the movement of crude oil from major producing countries such as:
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Syria
As a result, LPG production and supply chains have been strained globally.
Distributors argue that these disruptions have reduced the availability of LPG for domestic use.
Government Policy Prioritises Domestic LPG Supply
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has already issued policy directions stating that LPG supply for domestic consumers must be given priority during supply disruptions.
Despite these instructions, distributors allege that domestic supply has not increased as required.
They have requested the court to direct authorities to ensure that:
- LPG available within India is first allocated to domestic consumers.
- Export commitments are handled only after meeting local demand.
Court’s Interim Direction
While issuing notices, the High Court emphasized that LPG storage and supply must strictly follow the government’s policy.
The court directed that domestic LPG distribution should continue in line with the policy framework until the case is decided.
The judges also noted that the issue is serious and of public importance, as LPG cylinders are essential for household cooking across the country.
Wider Concerns Over LPG Supply in India
In recent weeks, authorities have also warned against panic buying and hoarding of LPG cylinders in some areas.
The Central Government has asked states to prevent black marketing and ensure fair distribution of cylinders so that supply remains stable for consumers.
Officials have repeatedly assured citizens that adequate monitoring is being carried out to avoid disruptions.
What Happens Next
The High Court will examine responses from the Centre and other authorities to determine:
- Whether domestic LPG supply is actually insufficient
- Whether exports are affecting household supply
- Whether further policy or administrative intervention is needed
The case will be heard again on March 17, when the government and other respondents are expected to present their explanations.
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