Ranchi: Amid growing concerns of LPG shortage across the country in the wake of the West Asia conflict, chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday hit out at the Centre.Reacting to reports related to LPG woes across the country, including in Jharkhand, he said, “In times of such crisis situation, usually everyone receives information beforehand. But here, the incident happens first and the information comes later, which is strange. Let us see what more they (Centre) will show to the poor people of this country. The situation is such that commoners, mainly those who earn their living through menial jobs, can neither feed themselves nor support others.”
Hemant’s party, JMM, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing the country. “The way situation is evolving, things seem scary. Ironically, govt is unwilling to tell the truth in Parliament,” said JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharjee, citing how despite govt claiming there was no crisis, it went on to hike prices of LPG cylinders, restricted the booking window and invoked ESMA.“It’s the period of holy Ramzan. Also, several Hindu marriages are being held, but this govt has once again pushed the country and its people into crises due to its failed foreign policy. PM’s foreign policy is more inclined towards his personal interests rather than that of the country. As a result, we are straining relations with our long-time friends like Russia, Iran and so on,” he alleged, claiming that in Ranchi, several private mess and tiffin centres which caters to scores of students are on the verge of shutdown due to LPG shortage.Opposition BJP accused the JMM of spreading confusion and panic among people. BJP general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Pradeep Varma said, “The same INDIA bloc partners spread falsehood on Covid-19 vaccine. Today, they are doing the same with LPG cylinders. Govt is fully alert and there is no shortage of petrol or gas in the country. But to prevent black-marketing due to misinformation, necessary legal procedures have been adopted.”
