Battle over LPG in Parliament: Kharge and Nadda clash in Rajya Sabha, cylinder price reaches Rs 5000? Know what is the reality

New Delhi . The issues of availability and prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country witnessed a heated argument between the ruling party and the opposition in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of LPG supply being affected in the country amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. During this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju interrupted him, after which the atmosphere in the House became heated for some time.

Kharge said that due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, there is a situation of LPG crisis in the country. India imports about 60 per cent of its total LPG requirements and about 90 per cent of this supply comes through the Strait of Hormuz. In such a situation, due to worsening of the situation, problems have increased in various areas including general public, hotels, restaurants and hostels in many parts of the country.

He said that at many places the price of LPG cylinder has reached more than Rs 5,000. The Petroleum Minister had claimed in the Lok Sabha that there is no shortage of LPG in the country and asked to avoid rumours, but the ground situation appears to be different.

Kharge alleged that when the conflict had escalated in West Asia, the government had issued advisories for Indian citizens. At that time, the government knew that energy supply could be affected, yet adequate preparations were not made.

He said that the waiting period for LPG cylinder booking has reached 25 days in cities and 45 days in rural and remote areas, due to which the possibility of panic booking and hoarding has increased. He demanded the government to take immediate concrete steps in this matter and make LPG cylinders available to the common people and small traders at affordable rates.

On this, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Jagat Prakash Nadda said that he is sad that the opposition, especially the Congress, does not shy away from doing politics even in times of adversity. He said that the problem arising at the international level is not due to India and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has already given detailed information in the House on this issue.

Nadda alleged that a Congress leader has been caught in the case of black marketing of gas cylinders. He said that at such a time everyone should stand together with the country, but Congress is doing politics on this issue, which is unfortunate.