Opposition questions LPG availability as Maharashtra Govt denies shortage

Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal stated in the Maharashtra Legislative Council here on Monday that the government has taken measures to ensure that people do not suffer due to any shortage of LPG and urged citizens to remain calm and avoid panic, as the government is closely monitoring the situation.

Following gas supply constraints due to the Iran war, the central government increased gas prices from March 7, 2026. The price of cooking gas cylinders for households has increased from ₹852.50 to ₹912.50, while the price of LPG for commercial use and the restaurant industry has risen from ₹1,720.50 to ₹1,835.

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Commenting on the gas situation in the state, Bhujbal said, “This morning I discussed the situation with representatives of petroleum companies such as Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil Corporation. They informed me that the daily production of domestic LPG in the state has been increased from 9,000 to 11,000 metric tonnes.”

“The companies also said that work is underway to remove all bottlenecks in LPG production. Cooking gas production has been given the highest priority to overcome the shortage. After this, hospitals, educational institutions, old-age homes and crematoriums will be given 100 percent priority. The pharmaceutical industry and defence canteens will receive 50 percent priority in LPG distribution,” he said.

“We have ample stocks of kerosene in the state. Earlier, the court had directed that there was no need to provide kerosene to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. However, we have now informed the court that we will provide kerosene to everyone. The supply chain of kerosene dealers had broken down after kerosene was discontinued under the scheme. Therefore, we will provide kerosene through pumps run by BPCL, HPCL and IOCL to prevent adulteration. We are in constant touch with the central government and are making efforts to obtain LPG and petroleum products. This issue will be resolved gradually,” Bhujbal said.

“The state government has taken strict action against those taking advantage of the situation and engaging in black marketing. Special vigilance teams have been appointed at the district level to curb the black marketing of cooking gas cylinders. As of March 15, a total of 2,129 inspections have been conducted, 1,208 illegal cylinders have been seized and 18 people have been arrested,” Bhujbal informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

“To address the shortage, refinery production has been increased from 9,000 metric tonnes to 11,000 metric tonnes. The government has also set supply priorities. Hospitals and educational institutions will receive 100 percent LPG supply, while defence establishments and railways will receive 70 percent priority,” he added.

“A letter has been sent to the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court stating that the state government is considering distributing kerosene as an alternative fuel to LPG. Oil companies have sufficient stocks. Police protection and a special control room have been activated to ensure smooth supply and resolve technical problems. Citizens should therefore not panic or resort to hoarding gas cylinders,” Bhujbal said.

However, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut criticized the situation, saying, “Modi signed what amounts to a slavery pact with the US President who said he enjoys killing people. Because of this, there is a gas shortage in the state and across the country. In cities like Mumbai, nearly 40 percent of the hotel business has shut down. Workers are returning to their villages and the quantity of prasad served in many temples has been reduced. The gas shortage will not end merely by chanting Modi’s name.”

“When Modi has time to campaign in Kerala, Assam and West Bengal, why does he not have time to convene an all-party meeting on the fuel and gas shortage? Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should also discuss the gas shortage in the Legislative Assembly. For that, a Leader of the Opposition in both Houses is necessary. Instead, he keeps invoking Modi’s name and claims there is no gas shortage, while people are worried. Ships carrying crude oil and gas have been unloaded in Gujarat. Gujarat will get supplies first and the rest of the country will receive whatever remains. Even if the country suffers, Gujarat must get everything first — that seems to be the attitude. It appears the country may go into a lockdown due to the gas shortage, but Fadnavis will not accept this because it will damage Modi’s image. When we point this out, we are labelled Urban Naxalites,” Raut said.

Criticizing the situation, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said, “The government claims there is no shortage of LPG cylinders. Then why are there shortages on the streets and why are people standing in queues? I have received information that nearly 40 per cent of restaurants in Mumbai alone have shut down. If someone who does not understand the suffering of the people claims there is no shortage, the state will suffer.”

Commenting on the issue, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) working president and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule said, “Why are the Indian government and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hiding the fact that there is a gas shortage? I do not understand it. The entire LPG distribution system in India has collapsed. That is why we are demanding a discussion on the issue in Parliament. This is not the time for political opposition; it is the time to find a solution to the problem.”

“If the Chief Minister watches the news, he will realise that shortages are being reported everywhere — in Baramati, Jalgaon, Nagpur, Pune, Nashik and Mumbai. I was in Pune on Saturday and Sunday and saw the problems everywhere. Restaurants and small-scale industries have shut down. In Daund and Indapur, nearly 75 per cent of workers have been laid off due to the gas shortage,” she said.