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Domestic LPG Cylinder Shortage Due to Exports; High Court Directs Central Government to Respond by March 17
Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a stern notice to the Central Government regarding the persistent shortage in the supply of domestic LPG cylinders. This significant order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilore and Justice Raj Wakode during a hearing held on Thursday, in response to a petition filed by six LPG distributors associated with Confidence Petroleum India Ltd., including Onkar Sales.
The petitioners submitted to the Court that the supply of domestic gas cylinders within the country has declined significantly. Simultaneously, LPG is being exported on a large scale. The Central Government, through two orders issued on March 5, 2026, and March 9, 2026, had mandated the utilization of Propane and Butane streams for the production of LPG. According to these orders, the LPG so produced was required to be made available exclusively to Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies for supply to domestic consumers. However, the petitioners highlighted that these orders are not being complied with.
The distributors had repeatedly submitted written requests to the company, urging it to halt exports and prioritize the domestic market. However, the company rejected this demand, citing its 'Export Policy.' The petition states that, as a result, the distributors are unable to maintain a regular supply, and consumers are failing to receive their gas cylinders on time.
Advocate Shyam Devani represented the petitioners. Emphasizing that the supply of domestic cylinders is an "extremely serious and critical" issue, the Bench directed the Central Government and the concerned oil companies to submit their responses by March 17, 2026.
This case assumes particular significance against the backdrop of the severe hardships currently being faced by citizens across the country due to the shortage of domestic LPG. The court has emphasized prioritizing domestic use, and all eyes are now fixed on the decision that will be reached during the next hearing.
Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a stern notice to the Central Government regarding the persistent shortage in the supply of domestic LPG cylinders. This significant order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilore and Justice Raj Wakode during a hearing held on Thursday, in response to a petition filed by six LPG distributors associated with Confidence Petroleum India Ltd., including Onkar Sales.
The petitioners submitted to the Court that the supply of domestic gas cylinders within the country has declined significantly. Simultaneously, LPG is being exported on a large scale. The Central Government, through two orders issued on March 5, 2026, and March 9, 2026, had mandated the utilization of Propane and Butane streams for the production of LPG. According to these orders, the LPG so produced was required to be made available exclusively to Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies for supply to domestic consumers. However, the petitioners highlighted that these orders are not being complied with.
The distributors had repeatedly submitted written requests to the company, urging it to halt exports and prioritize the domestic market. However, the company rejected this demand, citing its 'Export Policy.' The petition states that, as a result, the distributors are unable to maintain a regular supply, and consumers are failing to receive their gas cylinders on time.
Advocate Shyam Devani represented the petitioners. Emphasizing that the supply of domestic cylinders is an "extremely serious and critical" issue, the Bench directed the Central Government and the concerned oil companies to submit their responses by March 17, 2026.
This case assumes particular significance against the backdrop of the severe hardships currently being faced by citizens across the country due to the shortage of domestic LPG. The court has emphasized prioritizing domestic use, and all eyes are now fixed on the decision that will be reached during the next hearing.
The petitioners submitted to the Court that the supply of domestic gas cylinders within the country has declined significantly. Simultaneously, LPG is being exported on a large scale. The Central Government, through two orders issued on March 5, 2026, and March 9, 2026, had mandated the utilization of Propane and Butane streams for the production of LPG. According to these orders, the LPG so produced was required to be made available exclusively to Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies for supply to domestic consumers. However, the petitioners highlighted that these orders are not being complied with.
The distributors had repeatedly submitted written requests to the company, urging it to halt exports and prioritize the domestic market. However, the company rejected this demand, citing its 'Export Policy.' The petition states that, as a result, the distributors are unable to maintain a regular supply, and consumers are failing to receive their gas cylinders on time.
Advocate Shyam Devani represented the petitioners. Emphasizing that the supply of domestic cylinders is an "extremely serious and critical" issue, the Bench directed the Central Government and the concerned oil companies to submit their responses by March 17, 2026.
This case assumes particular significance against the backdrop of the severe hardships currently being faced by citizens across the country due to the shortage of domestic LPG. The court has emphasized prioritizing domestic use, and all eyes are now fixed on the decision that will be reached during the next hearing.
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