Jaipur, Mar 18 Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday alleged that the state is facing severe issues with LPG availability, contradicting the government's claim of adequate supply.
In a statement, Gehlot said the assertion by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma that there is no "shortage" of gas cylinders is "far from ground reality", claiming that households and businesses are struggling to procure LPG.
He alleged that the situation has adversely impacted industries and commercial establishments. Around 50,000 hotels and restaurants in the state are on the verge of closure due to the lack of availability of commercial cylinders, he claimed. He added that small sweet shop owners and dhaba operators are also suffering heavy losses.
Gehlot further said that disruption in fuel supply has affected production in industrial units, putting the livelihood of workers at risk. He accused the government of making large claims about investment promotion while failing to ensure basic fuel supply to existing industries.
Citing an example, the former chief minister claimed that food at a recent government programme had to be prepared on wood-fired stoves because of a lack of LPG cylinders. He questioned the situation faced by common people.
He said mere statements cannot run households or industries. He urged the government to ensure uninterrupted supply of LPG and curb black marketing instead of imposing restrictions on the public.