Amid the West Asia war, the Centre used the Essential Commodities Act to secure LPG for Indian households. Notably, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) issued an order on 5 March 2026. It directed refiners to maximise LPG output. Then, a wider gas-supply order followed on 9 March. Hence, household cooking gas came first.
What the 5 March LPG Order Says
The order rests on Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955. It also invokes the Petroleum Products (Maintenance of Production, Storage and Supply) Order, 1999. Under it, refiners must supply this LPG only to IOCL, HPCL and BPCL. Moreover, they cannot use propane or butane for petrochemicals. Also, these oil marketing companies must sell it only to domestic consumers.
Priority Tiers for Natural Gas
Next, the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026 set priority tiers. Household PNG, transport CNG and LPG production receive 100% of recent average supply. Meanwhile, fertiliser plants receive at least 70%, and industries around 80%. Officials called it a “precautionary step”.
What About ESMA?
Some media reports also cited the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1968. However, the MoPNG order itself rests on the ECA.
Why India Is Vulnerable
India consumed about 31.3 million tonnes of LPG in 2024-25. However, domestic production stood at only about 12.8 million tonnes. Therefore, imports meet most demand, and 85-90% of them come from West Asia. Most of these cargoes pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran restricted this route after US and Israeli strikes on 28 February 2026.
Latest Update
On 4 July 2026, MoPNG withdrew most provisions of the gas supply order. The notification said the conflict “has been subject to a ceasefire, and negotiations are ongoing.” Earlier, the government had already withdrawn the LPG maximisation directive.
About the ECA, 1955
The Act lets the Centre control the production, supply and distribution of essential commodities. Also, Section 3 gives it the power to issue control orders, and petroleum products appear in its schedule.
Essential Commodities Act: Key Facts for Revision
- LPG order: 5 March 2026, MoPNG, under Section 3 of the ECA, 1955
- Direction: Propane and butane only for LPG, supplied to IOCL, HPCL and BPCL
- Gas order: Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, from 9 March
- LPG use (2024-25): About 31.3 million tonnes
- Withdrawal: Gas curbs lifted on 4 July 2026
Why the Essential Commodities Act Matters for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, a distant war reached India’s kitchens. So, remember the 5 March order, the import dependence and the role of Hormuz. Also, link this with energy security. For official updates, also visit MoPNG. Next, for a related story, read about the US sanctions bill on Russia and Iran.
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