Lok Sabha Question No. 6242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6242

## NATURAL GAS (SUPPLY REGULATION) ORDER, 2026

## 6242. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  issued  the  Natural  Gas  (Supply  Regulation)  Order,  2026  to  regulate production,  allocation  and  distribution  of  natural  gas  in  view  of  possible  supply  disruptions,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said order allocates gas supply to sectors based on their average consumption during the last six months, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that certain industries, such as the agricultural seed processing sector operate on a seasonal cycle, particularly during the months of February to April when mechanical drying of hybrid seeds is undertaken, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  representations  from  seed  industry  associations  regarding difficulties arising from the six-months averaging formula for gas allocation, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to issue any clarification or modification in the said order to account for seasonal industries such as seed processing to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply during the peak processing period, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛ मंũी ( ŵी सुरे श गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (e) Government has notified the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026 dated 09.03.2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate the production, allocation and distribution of natural gas to ensure  its  equitable  availability  across  sectors.  Under  this  framework,  natural  gas  supplies  are  being prioritized for critical sectors such as domestic PNG, CNG for transport and LPG production, which are being maintained  up  to  100%  of  their  average  past  six  month  average  gas  consumption,  subject  to  availability, thereby safeguarding household and essential requirements. The idea of 6 month average is to eliminate shortterm consumption variations. Supply to other sectors, including agricultural seed processing sector, is being rationalized in a calibrated manner to manage any temporary constraints without widespread disruption. The Order also provides for diversion and pooling of gas from non-priority sectors to priority sectors and enables necessary adjustments in supply schedules through coordinated action by GAIL  (India)  Ltd and Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell. These steps are aimed at ensuring adequate natural gas availability and preventing disruption to domestic consumers, industries and economic activity, including in regions where concerns have been raised.

Representations  have  been  received  from  industry  associations  such  as  National  Seed  Association  of  India (NSAI),  the  Federation  of  Seed  Industry  of  India  (FSI),  and  the  Indian  Chamber  of  Food  and  Agriculture (ICFA). Pointing out that allocation based on the past six-month average does not reflect the requirements of this seasonal activity, as consumption remains minimal during off-season months. As explained earlier, the whole purpose of 6 month average is to smooth out such variations.