New Delhi, March 16 Citing the US' 30-day "waiver" to allow India to purchase Russian oil, CPI(M) MP John Brittas said on Monday that such diktats amount to India's humiliation by a foreign power.
While participating in a discussion on the Appropriation Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Brittas raised several issues, including India's stand on the ongoing war in West Asia, the "LPG crisis" across the country, and alleged blockage of funds meant for Kerala by the Centre.
Brittas said the Union finance minister should have briefly discussed the ramifications of the global crisis triggered due to the prevailing conflict in West Asia before pursuing the Appropriation Bill.
Raising the issue of alleged shortage of LPG gas cylinders, he questioned whether the Centre is aware about closure of restaurants, and canteens in colleges and even hospitals, in various parts of the country.
Brittas also sought the government's response on alleged black marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders nationwide.
He said while the recent passage of two ships -- sailing for India with LPG -- through the Strait of Hormuz is being publicised as an end of the deadlock, this supply is insufficient to fulfill country's fuel demand.
Stating that industries are facing 20 to 30 per cent shortage of energy resources, the CPI(M) MP said, "What would be the impact of this crisis on the economy? Is the finance minister, who is moving this Appropriation Bill, aware of that?"
He also questioned India's stand on the prevailing conflict in West Asia. "The question that is staring at us at this time of crisis is whether we have secured the right to be one of the leaders of the non-aligned nations. Our silence is criminal. Our country is being seen as a cheerleader to war mongers. That is unfortunate.”
Brittas also accused the Centre of blocking funds meant for various schemes in Kerala, alleging that the budget reflects a tendency to concentrate financial powers at the hands of the Union government.
According to him, despite a threefold increase in the collection of cess and surcharge over five years, the government has blocked funds meant for states one one pretext or the other.
He claimed the Centre has blocked Rs 6,000 crore in dues to Kerala.
"So what is the purpose of this estimate and Appropriation Bill if the government has no sincerity to adhere to the basic principles of division of resources between the ruling government and state government," he questioned.
Highlighting the vulnerable fuel situation, he said the US has "allowed" india to buy oil from Russia for 30 days. "Is it facilitation or humiliation? The country is consistently being humiliated by a foreign power," he alleged.