Nagpur Auto Unions Escalate LPG Shortage Crisis with Collector Meeting
In a significant development highlighting the deepening fuel crisis, a high-level delegation representing the Autorickshaw Association United Federation of Maharashtra and the Nagpur District Auto Driver Owners Federation held an urgent meeting with District Collector Kumar Ashirwad in Nagpur. The meeting centered on the severe and ongoing shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which has crippled autorickshaw operations across the entire state of Maharashtra.
Memorandum to Chief Minister and Critical Demands
Led by State Executive President Charandas Wankhede, the delegation formally submitted a detailed memorandum addressed directly to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The primary demand is for immediate governmental intervention to restore a regular and reliable supply of LPG at government-approved rates. The union emphasized a critical point: lakhs of autorickshaws in Maharashtra depend entirely on LPG as their fuel source.
This makes the three-wheeler not just an affordable and crucial mode of public transportation for millions of citizens, but also the primary source of livelihood for thousands of driver families. The current scarcity, therefore, poses a dual threat to both urban mobility and economic stability.
Allegations of Widespread Irregularities and Legal Violations
The delegation presented a grim picture of the ground situation, alleging widespread and systemic irregularities in the LPG supply chain. These reported issues include:
- The arbitrary and unexplained shutdown of numerous gas pumps across districts.
- Severely restricted distribution, leading to long queues and dry pumps.
- The rampant sale of LPG at highly inflated prices, far above the government-mandated rates.
The union has categorically termed these practices as blatant violations of key consumer protection laws. They specifically cited contraventions of:
- The Essential Commodities Act
- The Legal Metrology Act
- The Consumer Protection Act
In response, the federation demanded strict and immediate action against hoarding, black marketing, and overpricing. They called for regular and surprise inspections by concerned authorities to curb these malpractices.
Specific Relief Measures and Financial Assistance Demanded
Beyond enforcement, the union put forward concrete proposals for relief. A key demand is the creation of a priority allocation or a separate quota of LPG exclusively for autorickshaws to ensure uninterrupted public transport services. Recognizing the direct financial hardship faced by drivers, the memorandum also urges the state government to provide monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500 to those drivers who have been forced to completely halt their operations due to the fuel scarcity.
This aid, they proposed, should be disbursed through the existing Dharmveer Anand Dighe Autorickshaw Drivers Welfare Board framework.
Warning of Statewide Escalation and Peaceful Protests
The delegation issued a stern warning, stating that if immediate and satisfactory actions are not taken by the administration, the union will have no choice but to launch widespread, peaceful protests across Maharashtra. They cautioned that any resulting law and order situation would squarely be the responsibility of the state administration.
Collector's Assurance and Upcoming Meeting with Dealers
In response, Collector Kumar Ashirwad provided assurances to the agitated delegation. He committed to convening a meeting with LPG pump operators at the earliest, with the explicit inclusion of union representatives, to collaboratively work towards a viable solution.
In a related development, District Collector Kumar Ashirwad is scheduled to meet with major LPG dealers in Nagpur city on Wednesday. This meeting aims to conduct a comprehensive review of the ongoing LPG crisis and actively work on resolving the persistent supply issues. Bablu Tiwari, President of the LPG Dealers' Association, confirmed the meeting, noting that the collector has assured stakeholders that their concerns will be discussed in detail to find collective solutions.
A senior district administration official revealed that a preliminary review meeting has already been conducted at the collectorate under Ashirwad's chairmanship. This meeting focused on assessing the current supply situation and identifying distribution challenges. The administration is now prioritizing concrete measures to streamline distribution and prevent panic among consumers, the official added.
