Gujarat Government Counters Congress Claims, Assures Ample LPG Supply Amid West Asia Tensions
In a heated session at the Gujarat legislative assembly on Friday, the state government firmly dismissed allegations of LPG shortages, asserting that Gujarat maintains a robust stock of over 4 lakh cylinders. This declaration came as Congress members staged protests outside the assembly, voicing concerns over potential disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis.
Minister Solanki Details Substantial LPG Reserves
State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Raman Solanki addressed the assembly, providing detailed figures to counter claims of scarcity. He emphasized that the state is collaborating closely with the Union government to ensure uninterrupted domestic supply. According to Solanki, Gujarat currently holds 416,504 LPG cylinders across major oil corporations.
- Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL): 166,128 cylinders
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL): 150,009 cylinders
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL): 100,367 cylinders
The minister criticized media reports suggesting shortages, stating they are "far from reality" and noting that no formal complaints of gas unavailability have been registered anywhere in the state.
Congress MLAs Protest, Demand Affordable Cylinders
Earlier in the day, Congress legislators gathered outside the legislative assembly, protesting what they described as long queues of citizens waiting for gas cylinders. They demanded that cylinders be made available at a subsidized rate of Rs 450 each, citing economic pressures on households.
During discussions on budgetary demands for the food and civil supplies department, Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar raised the issue forcefully. "In the initial days of the war in the Gulf, the government is giving assurances that there is no shortage of gas, but thousands of people are queuing up outside agencies," Parmar asserted. He also expressed broader concerns about the supply of LPG, PNG, and CNG fuels.
Assembly Speaker and Ministers Respond to Allegations
In response, Speaker Shankar Chaudhary clarified that matters related to gas supply primarily fall under the jurisdiction of the Union government, shifting the focus to federal responsibilities.
Ministers Arjun Modhwadia and Rushikesh Patel strongly objected to Parmar's remarks, warning that such statements could incite unnecessary panic among the public. "Accurate information should go on record, so that people are not misled," Modhwadia insisted. He further revealed that representatives from Morbi's ceramic industry, who recently met with the chief minister, were also assured that there is no shortage of gas, reinforcing the government's stance.
The debate highlights the political tensions in Gujarat as the state navigates global uncertainties, with the government striving to maintain public confidence in essential supplies amidst international conflicts.
