Lucknow/Varanasi (UP), March 14 Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai on Saturday claimed that the LPG shortage had brought to a halt the 'Maa Annapurna Ki Rasoi' in Kashi.
He said that the place that fed many was forced to turn away the hungry.
"What kind of blow is this to the centuries-old traditions of Kashi, Narendra Modi ji? It is a matter of deep anguish that, due to a severe shortage of LPG, even Kashi's sacred 'Maa Annapurna Ki Rasoi' has been forced to shut down today. A place from where no one ever returned hungry, today even sadhus, saints, and devotees are being compelled to go back without a meal," he wrote on X in Hindi.
"This is not merely an administrative failure, it is an assault on the faith of Mahadev's holy city. Will the hearths now cease to burn even in your own parliamentary constituency?" Rai added.
The Congress leader demanded the restoration of regular gas supply, and strict action against those hoarding.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rai wrote, "according to media reports and statements made by local representatives, the supply of petroleum products is currently under pressure due to rising international tensions in the Middle-East region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz."
However, he said, in a country as large as India, advance preparation and alternative arrangements are required to ensure essential energy supplies.
Mahant of the Annapurna Temple Shankar Giri Maharaj said that a crisis has arisen regarding the distribution of prasad to devotees in the 'annakshetra' due to the gas crunch.
He said that earlier, the gas agency used to supply one or two gas cylinders, which has now stopped.
"One of our two operational units has been shut since morning, and the second unit is also on the verge of closure," he said.
According to Giri, the temple distributed prasad to 20,000 to 25,000 people every day before the LPG squeeze.
"Today, however, arrangements could be made for only approximately 3,000 devotees," he said.
Meanwhile, UP Minister Ravindra Jaiswal and Varanasi District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar on Saturday reviewed the status of gas supply in the city.
After the meeting, Kumar said that there is no shortage of LPG in Varanasi and gas would be made available to the temple management shortly.
He also warned the people against spreading "rumours" of a gas shortage.
Jaiswal, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) Stamp and Court Fee, said that fuelled by rumours, people are hoarding spare gas cylinders, which is contributing to the difficulties.
He claimed that 1,55,000 connections for the piped gas network have already been established across the city.