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The Maharashtra government has directed all district collectors to follow a revised priority-based system for distributing limited stocks of commercial (non-domestic) LPG cylinders, in line with fresh guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

In an official letter issued on Thursday, the state Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department asked district administrations to allocate LPG as per the updated priority list prepared by the Centre. This follows an increase in overall allocation to states, now being raised to 70% of pre-crisis levels in phases.

The revised priority order aims to ensure that essential services and critical sectors receive preferential supply amid ongoing constraints.

Priority sectors for commercial LPG allocation

100 per cent priority (full allocation)

Hospitals (government and private)
Educational institutions and hostels
Public service institutions (police stations, jails, etc.)

90 per cent priority 

Restaurants, dhabas, hotels and similar establishments
Religious places and community functions

80 per cent priority

Government services

40 per cent priority

Industrial units (steel, automobile, textile, chemicals, plastics, etc)
Process industries requiring LPG for specialised heating where PNG is not feasible

20 per cent priority

Community kitchens
Small businesses, bakeries, sweet shops, dyeing units, auto repair garages
Other non-essential commercial and industrial users

The government has also mandated that all commercial and industrial LPG consumers register with oil marketing companies (OMCs) and apply for piped natural gas (PNG) connections wherever available to avail the enhanced quota.

District collectors have been asked to coordinate with distributors and ensure strict compliance to prevent misuse or diversion. The directive also emphasises promoting PNG to reduce dependence on LPG in the long term.

Officials have urged stakeholders to use LPG judiciously and avoid hoarding.