The Central government informed the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court that it is taking measures to manage the ongoing Liquified Petroleum Gas crisis and ensure that global supply disruptions do not adversely affect domestic availability. This submission was made during the hearing of a petition filed by LPG dealers who had raised concerns regarding shortages and alleged that exports were being prioritised over domestic supply.
The petitioners, comprising LPG dealers, brought the issue before the Court highlighting disruptions in supply, particularly in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. They contended that international developments had affected the availability of LPG and led to a shortage for domestic consumers. It was further alleged that despite this situation, LPG was being exported, which aggravated the difficulties faced by consumers dependent on cooking gas.
The dealers pointed to the impact of geopolitical developments in the Middle East on global supply chains, stating that these factors had contributed to the scarcity of LPG in their region. They also alleged that a private company was continuing exports instead of prioritising domestic needs, thereby worsening the shortage.
During the proceedings, the Solicitor General, appearing for the Central government, informed the Court that efforts were being undertaken to address the crisis, including diplomatic engagement at the international level. It was submitted that the government was actively working to ensure that domestic supply remained stable despite the evolving global situation. The government also indicated that certain measures being taken could not be disclosed in detail due to their sensitive nature.
The Solicitor General requested the Court to close the petition, stating that the matter involved complex and evolving circumstances that were best handled by the executive. It was emphasized that the government was taking appropriate steps to manage the situation and that the Court should place trust in the authorities to address the issue effectively.
An affidavit filed on behalf of the Central government described the situation as dynamic and requiring continuous monitoring and response. It was submitted that the issue involved broader national and international considerations, making it unsuitable for detailed judicial examination. The affidavit requested that the matter be left to the Central and State governments to resolve in the larger public interest.
The government also informed the Court that strict action was being taken in cases where local issues arose due to violations or dereliction of duty by distributors. It stated that authorities were monitoring the situation and addressing specific grievances to ensure that supply disruptions were handled promptly and effectively.
The Court considered the submissions made by the government and took note of the assurance that necessary steps were being taken to manage the crisis. It acknowledged that the issue involved policy decisions and international negotiations, which fall within the domain of the executive.
In view of these considerations, the Court decided to close the petition, accepting the government’s position that it was actively handling the situation. The Court’s decision reflected its reliance on the executive’s assessment and its approach to managing the crisis.
Earlier, the Court had issued notice to the Union government and the company involved, and had treated the matter as serious. However, after reviewing the government’s response and the steps outlined, it concluded that no further judicial intervention was required at that stage.
By closing the petition, the Court effectively left the matter to be addressed by the government, while indicating that any specific local grievances could be taken up with the appropriate authorities. The decision underscored the Court’s view that issues involving complex policy considerations and international developments are best managed by the executive, particularly when the government has assured that it is taking active steps to address the situation.
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