LPG distributors approach Bombay HC against supply shortage; notices issued to the center, private company
The Bombay High Court has issued notices to the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, as well as a private company, in connection with a petition filed by six LPG distributors seeking increased supply of domestic cooking gas cylinders amid the energy crisis due to the Iran war.
The petitioners claimed that Nagpur-based Confidence Petroleum India Ltd had failed to increase the supply of domestic LPG cylinders despite the Centre’s directive giving priority to domestic distribution.
The petition, filed through lawyers Shyam Dewani and Saahil Dewani, claimed that the Iran war had caused disruptions in global crude oil supply, leading to limitations in LPG production, following which the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had issued orders directing that priority be given to production and supply of LPG to domestic consumers.
The statement said that repeated representations to the company to stop LPG exports and increase supply to the domestic market had not been addressed. Confidence Petroleum India Limited had informed them that the company cannot prioritize supply in the domestic market as it has to cater to the international market as per its export strategy, the petitioners claimed.
Justices Anil S Kilor and Raj D Wakode of the HC’s Nagpur bench, while hearing the petition on Thursday, issued notices to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Confidence Petroleum India Limited, which will be returned on Monday.
The HC bench stated that in the meantime, the government’s policy of prioritizing supply of domestic LPG cylinders should be strictly followed.
The petition said that the six distributors procure LPG from Confidence Petroleum India Limited and subsequently supply it to their customers, including homes, hotels, small industries and commercial establishments in Nagpur and other districts of Maharashtra. –PTI
