NRAI red-flags LPG supply disruption at restaurants; says disruption would lead to “catastrophic closure of restaurants”

New Delhi: The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has written to petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri expressing concerns about potential shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, citing that any disruption will lead to a “catastrophic closure of a majority of restaurants”.

Additionally, in a tweet on Monday evening, the NRAI, which represents interests of over five lakh restaurants, said: “The Government has clarified that there is no ban on supply of commercial LPG cylinders for the restaurant industry. However, the ground situation is different, with suppliers expressing inability to supply the same. This is severely impacting the restaurant industry and supply of food as an essential service for citizens. We request urgent clarification,” the NRAI posted on X.

A recent government order prioritised supplies of domestic cooking gas supplies.


“The restaurant industry is predominantly dependent on commercial LPG for its operations. Any disruption will lead to a catastrophic closure of majority of restaurants,” the NRAI letter, sent on March 7, read.

The letter further noted that supply of foods “is an inescapable essential service which was identified as

such even during Covid lockdowns.”

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The letter cited parts of the recent government order, which stated that all public sector OMCs should ensure that LPG is supplied and marketed solely to consumers. “Immediately after issue of this order, suppliers across the country have indicated that supply of commercial LPG cylinders to restaurants would be therefore stopped,” the letter read.