High court dismisses plea on LPG shortage for hotels In Bengaluru
Bengaluru : The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by the Bengaluru Hotel Association seeking directions to address the shortage and alleged disparity in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders to hotels in the state. The court observed that such matters are influenced by global developments and are beyond judicial intervention at this stage.
The petitioners had argued that hotels in Karnataka were receiving significantly fewer commercial LPG cylinders compared to neighbouring states. Advocate K. Satish Bhat, representing the association, submitted that while Tamil Nadu was receiving around 8,500 cylinders per day and Kerala about 4,200, Karnataka was being allocated only about 1,000 cylinders daily. This disparity, he argued, had severely affected the hotel industry, pushing many establishments into operational distress.
The association further contended that the guidelines governing LPG distribution were not being implemented properly, resulting in unequal allocation and hardship for businesses dependent on consistent fuel supply. It urged the court to direct authorities to ensure fair and adequate distribution.
Opposing the plea, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, clarified that LPG supply is not entirely under government control. He pointed out that India depends heavily on imports for crude oil and LPG, and global geopolitical tensions have significantly impacted supply chains.
Referring to sensitive international zones like the Strait of Hormuz, Mehta highlighted that disruptions in such regions directly affect fuel availability. He argued that the evolving global situation makes it difficult to maintain uniform supply and that the government is making continuous efforts to manage distribution efficiently.
After hearing both sides, the single-judge bench of Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum ruled that courts cannot intervene in matters involving international trade dynamics and policy decisions linked to global crises. The bench noted that fluctuations in import and export are natural during times of international conflict.
Taking into account the assurances given by the Centre and ongoing discussions by the state government, the court held that no judicial direction was necessary at this stage and dismissed the petition.
The ruling means that hotel owners in Bengaluru will have to rely on administrative measures rather than legal recourse for immediate relief, as the crisis continues to impact daily operations.
