The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) and the Association of Indian Magazines (AIM) have urged the central government to prioritize LPG supply for printing presses amid severe shortages caused by the Israel-Iran conflict.
They requested that print media be classified as an essential service, with guaranteed minimum supply to prevent disruptions to newspaper and magazine production.
The bodies argue that print media, which was treated as essential during the Covid-19 pandemic, requires stable LPG for high-temperature drying systems in heat-set printing and for 24/7 worker canteens.
The war in West Asia has hampered fossil fuel supply, leading to significant difficulties in maintaining daily operations, they said.
“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 an uninterrupted LPG supply absolutely critical for the continuity of operations.”
INS stated, “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.” It pointed to the impact on workforce support systems, noting, “These establishments 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 the continuous operation of the Press.”
The AIM has requested a guaranteed minimum of 80% of average gas consumption for the past six months, arguing that current shortages leave print under the general industrial category rather than as a prioritized sector.
Both bodies have called for an expedited supply window for registered printers through oil companies such as IOC, BPCL, and HPCL, as well as a formal hearing before the high-level LPG committee.
The industry push comes amid broader national concerns about gas availability and the potential for long-term printing shutdowns.
