Mumbai, March 11 Opposition parties in the Maharashtra legislature raised concerns about LPG supplies amid growing conflicts in West Asia on Wednesday and asked the government to explain the steps being taken, including measures to curb black-marketing.
Raising the matter in the legislative assembly, Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that a "severe" shortage of cooking gas has created fear and anxiety among households across the state.
While the government talks about development, ordinary people are worried about how they will cook food at home due to the gas shortage, he said. Several eateries have remained closed due to a disruption in gas supply, he said.
Referring to the ongoing session, he said the legislature canteen was closed even as the House functioned until around 1 am on Wednesday, and many hotels outside the premises at Nariman Point in south Mumbai were also shut due to the alleged shortage.
He claimed that nearly 30 per cent of hotels in Mumbai and Nagpur have been closed because of the gas shortage, affecting economic activity.
The Congress leader also warned that the shortage could lead to black-marketing. He claimed that a truck carrying LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders worth about Rs 18 lakh, belonging to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, was stolen recently, which he termed a serious law-and-order concern.
Wadettiwar further said protests have begun in parts of the state, including Kolhapur and the Vidarbha region, against the gas shortage and that women are particularly worried about the situation.
Since LPG supply is related to the Centre, the state government should inform the House about the current stock and measures being taken to ensure smooth supply, he demanded.
Responding to the issue, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said that although the matter pertains to the Centre, the state government will take appropriate steps in the interest of the people.
According to a gazette notification issued late on Monday, the latest order issued under the Essential Commodities Act of 1955 will override all outstanding contracts and other commercial arrangements for the sale of LNG (liquefied natural gas).
LPG production, CNG (compressed natural gas), and piped cooking gas will take precedence over all other sectors using natural gas as the government rejigged allocation to ensure uninterrupted supply for households and transport sectors.
In the legislative council, Sachin Ahir of the Shiv Sena (UBT) said that by invoking the Essential Commodities Act, cooking gas supply to small restaurants, food stalls run by self-help groups, small-scale industries like ‘chikki’ (traditional sweet) factories, soap-making units and packaging set-ups have been hit. This has also affected the common man who depends on small restaurants and food stalls, he said.
“It will not be fair to deny them LPG gas,” Ahir said.
He said the state government should form a squad to curb black-marketing. The government must also issue a statement on this, he added.
BJP’s Prasad Lad said directions must be given to district collectors to ensure that the supply of cooking gas at government-run hostels for students does not stop. Council Chairman Ram Shinde issued directions in this regard.
Shinde also asked the government to issue a statement on the concerns raised by Ahir.
The US and Israel's attack on Iran and Tehran's retaliation have shut the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit through which India got 85-90 per cent of its LPG imports from countries like Saudi Arabia. As alternative sources are being scouted, limited supplies have forced the government to prioritise the domestic sector, which has affected commercial establishments.