Rajasthan Congress Chief Launches Scathing Attack Over LPG Crisis
Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra launched a sharp and comprehensive attack on both the central and state governments on Thursday, condemning the severe LPG crisis that has gripped the state. Addressing a press conference at the party's state headquarters in Jaipur, Dotasra drew a stark comparison to the 2016 demonetization, stating that citizens are once again being forced to endure long, exhausting queues for essential commodities, this time for cooking gas cylinders.
Congress Announces Statewide Protests and Agitation Threat
In a significant escalation, Dotasra announced that the Congress party will organize widespread protests and demonstrations across Rajasthan to highlight the government's failure in managing the LPG supply chain. He issued a clear warning, stating that if the authorities do not ensure an uninterrupted and reliable supply of cylinders promptly, the party will launch a massive statewide agitation. The political pressure is mounting as the crisis deepens.
Price Hikes and Supply Disruptions Cripple Daily Life
Dotasra detailed the economic burden on citizens, noting that domestic LPG cylinder prices have been increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders have seen a steep hike of Rs 115. Despite these price increases, people are facing immense difficulties in obtaining cooking gas due to severe supply disruptions and crippled booking systems. "The central and state governments have completely abandoned people in this time of crisis, mirroring their approach during the demonetization period," he asserted, highlighting a pattern of governmental neglect.
Severe Impact on Economy and Employment
The Congress leader outlined the devastating ripple effects of the LPG crisis across multiple sectors of Rajasthan's economy:
- Tourism and Hospitality: Restaurants, hostels, and hotel kitchens are struggling to operate, threatening the state's vital tourism industry.
- Transport and Small Industries: Many industries have been forced to reduce or completely halt production due to fuel shortages.
- Employment: Dotasra cited the reported loss of 3,000 jobs following the closure of the Borosil factory in Jaipur, directly linking it to the gas supply issues.
- Agriculture: He issued a warning that fertilizer production could decline due to gas supply disruptions, potentially affecting agricultural output in the future.
Targeting Government Inaction and Demanding Solutions
Directly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dotasra raised critical questions about the Pachpadra oil refinery in Rajasthan. He pointed out that despite all construction work being completed, the refinery remains non-operational. "The immediate commencement of production at this refinery could have significantly alleviated the current fuel and LPG crisis. Instead of delaying its inauguration for political reasons, it should be started without further delay," he demanded, accusing the government of inefficiency.
Comprehensive Relief Measures Demanded
The Congress president put forth a series of specific demands for immediate government action to mitigate the crisis:
- Electricity bill waivers for industries severely impacted by the gas shortage.
- Financial assistance and support packages for workers who have lost their jobs due to the crisis.
- Strict and decisive action against black marketing and hoarding of gas cylinders to stabilize the market.
Opposition Leader Accuses Government of Creating Panic
Adding to the criticism, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully accused the state government of exacerbating the situation by increasing cylinder prices and halting commercial supply, thereby creating unnecessary panic among the public. He demanded transparency, calling for the government to issue a detailed white paper outlining the state's current LPG stock levels and projected demand. "Rather than providing assistance during this critical time, the government has worsened the crisis through price hikes. Black marketing is rampant, and the government must clarify its concrete plans to curb this illegal activity," Jully stated emphatically.
The political confrontation in Rajasthan intensifies as the LPG crisis shows no signs of abating, with the Congress party mobilizing for direct action and holding the government accountable for its handling of the essential commodity supply chain.
