MUMBAI, March 18 -- The central government on Tuesday told the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court that it was making all possible efforts, domestically and internationally, to ensure that citizens don't face any hardship due to the disruption in LPG supplies. An affidavit filed through solicitor general Tushar Mehta said that the Centre was monitoring the situation and taking all remedial measures to ensure the smooth distribution and availability of gas cylinders. Accepting the government's statement, a division bench of justices Anil S Kilor and Raj D Wakode on Tuesday disposed of a petition filed by six gas distributors against Confidence Petroleum India Ltd, a Nagpur-based firm involved in LPG bottling. The petitioners had alleged that the company was prioritising LPG exports to benefit from higher international prices, despite an acute local shortage. The petition said that the Iran war had disrupted global crude supply, leading to constraints in LPG production. It highlighted that the petroleum ministry had issued orders directing that LPG production and supply for domestic consumers be given priority. Acting on the petition, the court had on March 12 directed the central government to file its affidavit in reply, as the issue involved was of "a serious nature and of grave importance." The court had also ordered Confidence Petroleum India Ltd to ensure that the storage and supply of LPG for domestic consumption "shall be in accordance with the prevailing policy of the central government". In its reply, the Centre clarified that if it came across any local issue arising due to an individual's dereliction of duty or any gas distributor breaching the law, "strict actions are being taken and shall continue to be taken by the competent authorities". Considering the nature of the subject matter, the central government urged the high court to "leave it to authorities and the respective state governments to deal with the situation in the best possible manner in larger public interest". The court accepted the Centre's stance and disposed of the petition....