The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued notices to the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and a private company after six LPG distributors approached the court alleging a shortage of domestic cooking gas supply amid the ongoing energy crisis linked to the Iran conflict.
The distributors claimed that Nagpur-based Confidence Petroleum India Ltd had failed to increase the supply of household LPG cylinders despite the Centre’s directive prioritising domestic distribution.
The petition, filed through advocates Shyam Dewani and Saahil Dewani, argued that the Iran war has disrupted global crude supplies, leading to constraints in LPG production. In response to the situation, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had directed that LPG production and distribution for domestic consumers should be given priority.
However, the petitioners alleged that repeated representations requesting the company to halt LPG exports and divert supplies to the domestic market had gone unanswered. According to the plea, the company informed distributors that it could not prioritise domestic supply due to its international export commitments.
A division bench of Justices Anil S Kilor and Raj D Wakode of the Nagpur bench issued notices to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Confidence Petroleum India Ltd, directing them to respond by Monday.
The court also observed that, in the interim, the government’s policy prioritising the supply of domestic LPG cylinders must be strictly followed.
The petition stated that the six distributors procure LPG from Confidence Petroleum India Ltd and supply it to households, hotels, small industries and commercial establishments across Nagpur and other districts in Maharashtra.
The distributors further argued that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is responsible for framing policies and issuing directions related to petroleum products, including LPG, while the Directorate General of Foreign Trade regulates export restrictions and trade policy decisions.
The petitioners have urged the High Court to direct Confidence Petroleum India Ltd to prioritise LPG supply to the domestic market and temporarily halt exports until domestic availability stabilises. They have also requested the court to instruct the petroleum ministry to ensure adequate LPG availability for household consumption.
