High Court puts brakes on government order clipping CNG supply to Mumbai

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court today curtailed the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Gas from implementing its order of cutting short the supply of natural gas to Mumbai, till December 19.

A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and M S Sonak was hearing a petition filed by Mumbai Rickshawmens' Union challenging a circular of November 14 revising the quota of gas supplied to various states.

A lawyer appearing for the Union government today sought time to file affidavit and said no final decision has been taken yet on the issue.

"Even if the government passes the order then it will not implement it till December 19. The Union government shall file its affidavit by that date," the court directed.

According to the petition, the shortfall in supply of gas will lead to price rise for those using the gas for cooking purposes and autorickshaws and taxis.

"The total requirement of gas for the domestic and transport sector in the country is around 8.023 mscmd (million standard cubic metres per day). What we get is around 6.4 mscmc. The shortfall will have to be bridged by importing gas," petitioner's advocate Ganesh Hegde said.