INS, AIM urge Centre to prioritise LPG supply for print sector

Amid a deepening LPG shortage that is disrupting printing operations, magazine and newspaper publishers have approached the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, urging it to intervene and classify print publications under essential services. In representations sent to the ministry, publishers said the fuel crisis is threatening the timely printing of newspapers and magazines, raising concerns over distribution and continuity at a time when regular publication cycles are under pressure.

The Indian Newspaper Society (INS), in the representation, highlighted the difficulties being faced by the newspaper establishments in various parts of the country due to the shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply.

“We understand that the ongoing war in West Asia is causing a shortage in the supply of fossil fuels, including LPG, to the country. However, it is pertinent to mention that several newspaper establishments utilize LPG as a fuel resource in their presses, particularly in heat-set press operations used for printing that require high-temperature drying systems for ink curing”

Additionally, these establishments also run non-commercial canteens for their employees as the Press functions 24/7. These canteens serve as an essential support system for the workforce engaged in continuous operation of the Press. Due to this war-driven curtailment of LPG cylinders in various parts of the country, many newspaper establishments are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their operations and run their canteen services on a day-to-day basis for the work force.

In view of the above, we respectfully request your good self to kindly consider placing LPG cylinders for newspaper establishments under the essential category of supply, so that uninterrupted availability of fuel for their operational requirements and canteens may be ensured,” mentioned the representation.

Similarly, the Association of Indian Magazines (AIM) to highlighted the inconvenience being faced by the sector.

“As you are aware, the ongoing West Asia conflict has severely disrupted LPG availability for the printing industry. Magazine printing is mostly done on web offset printing machines (largely of German origin), which are specifically designed to operate on LPG. There is no viable alternative fuel available for these machines, making uninterrupted LPG supply absolutely critical for continuity of operations. Even many of the glossy newspaper supplements are printed on such machines. Without it, time-bound weekly and monthly publications cannot be printed, depriving millions of readers — especially in regional language markets with limited digital access — of timely information,” stated  their representation by

The Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026 (Gazette Notification, 9–10 March 2026) has established a commendable priority framework. However, newspaper and magazine printing is not specifically named — it currently falls within the residual general industrial consumer category. Given the public interest role of print media, we urge that it be specifically enumerated as a priority sector, with an assured minimum allocation of 80% of the past six-month average consumption, at parity with tea and other manufacturing industries under the existing framework.

“We humbly request the Ministry to specifically include LPG supply for newspaper and magazine printing in the priority allocation framework under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, with a guaranteed minimum of 80% of average consumption; Direct IOC, BPCL, and HPCL to create an expedited supply window for registered printing presses. We also request an early audience before the High-Level LPG Committee to present detailed supply data from our members,” stated the representation.