Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Kharge said, “I wish to draw the attention of this House to the LPG crisis in the country due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The LPG crisis has caused widespread panic across the entire nation. Its impact is severely affecting the poor and vulnerable sections, the middle class, ordinary households, restaurants, hostels, and commercial users.”
He made the point that India imports nearly 60% of its total LPG requirements of which 90% imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. “From this perspective, the current situation has become a matter of serious concern for both domestic availability and price stability. Its effects are being felt in nearly every part of the country. People in households are distressed. Small roadside eateries, restaurants, hostels — all are impacted. From community kitchens to Ram Rasoi, everything has shut down. Not just homes — MSMEs and other commercial users are facing severe difficulties in obtaining LPG cylinders,” he said.
LPG cylinder shortage has pushed up its cost to Rs 5,000 while many establishments have shut or limited their operations, Kharge added.
The Congress leader attacked Union petroleum minister Hardeep Puri for his remarks in the Lok Sabha earlier that reports of an LPG shortage were just rumours. “The ground reality proves the government’s claims wrong… When the government was issuing advisories to Indian citizens in Iran that the situation could worsen, it should have clearly stated that this could also impact critical maritime routes and energy supplies. From that standpoint, we should have made preparations,” Kharge said.
There is a waiting period of 25 days in cities and 45 in villages and this has led to panic booking and hoarding of LPG cylinders, he insisted.
The leader of the Opposition sought to know why the government had not taken precautionary measures when it knew the situation would worsen. “Why didn’t it take the people into confidence? This crisis exposes the government’s dismal management and flawed foreign policy,” Kharge said, demanding immediate steps to ensure LPG cylinder supply at affordable prices.Kharge exceeded the three minutes allowed to any speaker during Zero Hour but Chairman CP Radhakrishnan permitted him to express his views.
Nadda rubbished Kharge’s charges and alleged that Congress was playing politics over the crisis. “I am sorry that the Opposition, and especially the Congress party, does not refrain from engaging in politics in the country even during times of crisis. The problem that has arisen on the international level has not come about due to India. Our minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, has fully explained this matter in the House,” he said.
The Union minister referred to the case of a Congress leader being caught in black marketing of gas cylinders, terming it shameful. “In such a situation, instead of coming together and standing with the country, the Congress is indulging in its petty politics. This is unfortunate,” Nadda said.
Earlier, soon after the House met for the day, Trinamool floor leader Derek O’Brien expressed his party’s ire over the Chief Election Commissioner ordering the removal of West Bengal chief secretary, principal secretary and home secretary hours after the assembly election dates were announced for the state. “In the dead of night, the chief secretary, principal secretary, home secretary of Bengal were removed by the Election Commission. ECI has all the power to do it… I am wearing a white shirt but they have the power to say it is not white, it’s a blue shirt! In protest against what the Chief Election Commissioner is doing, we (Trinamool members) are walking out for the day,” O’Brien said.
Meanwhile, former Chief Justice of India and nominated Rajya Sabha member Ranjan Gogoi completed his term in the Upper House on Monday.
