New Delhi, March 27 The Congress on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over India's increasing dependence on crude oil, LPG, and natural gas imports.
"The 'grand' promise of gas made by Mr. Modi has remained just that – gas," Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said on X, highlighting India's reliance on natural gas imports.
"Between 2014-15 and 2024-25, India's dependence on crude oil imports increased from 84% to 90%. Similarly, between 2014-15 and 2024-25, India's dependence on LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) imports rose from 46% to 62%," Ramesh added, noting that "all this happened despite the supposed mantra of 'Atmanirbharta,' or self-reliance."
He further claimed that the natural gas situation is more complex.
"On June 26, 2005, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat (Modi) boasted that the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation had discovered India's largest gas reserve in the deep waters of the Krishna-Godavari river basin. Mr. Modi announced that this would make India energy independent," Ramesh said.
He claimed that five reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) between 2011 and 2016 revealed that this was a "Rs 20,000 crore scam, which was subsequently covered up by the prime minister, forcing the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation to merge with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation in August 2017."
The Congress leader's remarks came amid reports of panic buying and long queues at petrol pumps and LPG distributors. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, for the first time since the conflict in West Asia broke out, released details of crude oil, fuel, and LPG stocks in an effort to calm public concerns.
India has approximately 60 days of oil stock cover and has ensured one full month of LPG supply, the government said on Thursday, adding that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG, and that reports of shortages are a "deliberate misinformation campaign" aimed at triggering panic buying.
State-owned oil marketing companies also stated that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG, and that supplies remain stable.
In a statement, the petroleum ministry said that all petrol pumps across the country are adequately stocked and operating normally, with no rationing of petrol or diesel.
The opposition has been staging protests in the Parliament complex over the reported LPG supply shortage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday interact with the chief ministers of all states, excluding those that are going to polls, and review their preparedness and plans in the wake of the West Asia conflict.