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A heated debate erupted in Parliament after Congress MP Mohammad Jawed alleged a severe LPG shortage and rising black-market prices for cylinders.
Congress MP Alleges LPG Black Marketing as Govt Defends Preparedness
New Delhi: A heated debate erupted in Parliament over the ongoing LPG crisis in the country. The opposition and the government have clashed amid fears that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could impact gas supplies. Congress MP Mohammad Jawed questioned the government's claims, saying that the situation on the ground is extremely worrying, while the government is claiming the situation is normal.
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed claimed that the LPG shortage has become so severe that tea and coffee were not available even in the Parliament canteen. He said that he was fasting, but when MPs asked for tea or coffee during a discussion in Parliament, canteen staff told him that gas was not available.
He also alleged that gas cylinders were being black-marketed, with prices reaching ₹1,500 to ₹2,000. According to him, the government was trying to downplay the situation while ordinary people were facing hardship.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the opposition's attitude in the Lok Sabha. She stated that the government is taking several steps to address supply constraints and a potential LPG crisis in light of the global situation. Despite this, the opposition is unwilling to listen to the government and is merely trying to create political issues.
Sitharaman stated that the country is facing numerous challenges due to the international situation. At such a time, the government needs to make financial preparations to deal with any unexpected situation. She also stated that the government is considering creating a financial buffer of ₹50,000 crore to better address future supply constraints.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a statement stating that there is adequate availability of petrol and diesel across the country. However, the government is vigilant about the LPG situation and considers it a matter of concern.
It is noteworthy that the conflict in West Asia, which began on February 28th, continues to escalate. Escalating tensions between Iran and Israel and US military activities in the region have impacted the global energy market. This has also disrupted international supply chains, impacting many countries, including India.
