New Delhi, March 26 Accusing the government of not acknowledging the "severe LPG shortage," Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha deputy leader Sagarika Ghose said on Thursday that the Centre was out of touch with reality and was not making any efforts to reassure concerned citizens.
The Trinamool Congress leader alleged that the government was attempting to shift the blame and the burden of the crisis onto ordinary people.
"The Narendra Modi government is completely out of touch with reality. Across India, whether it's small eateries, restaurants, small industries, the informal sector, workers, homemakers, senior citizens, and students, everyone is bearing the brunt of these severe LPG shortages," Ghose told
"But the Modi government is simply not willing to acknowledge this reality. It is saying, "Oh, please don't panic." As if citizens are responsible for this emergency, as if it's the citizens' fault that they are panicking," she said.
She said it was "obvious" that people would panic, as she questioned why the government had not stocked supplies.
"Obviously, citizens will panic if there is a prospect of no LPG and shortages of LPG. Why has the government not stockpiled LPG supplies? Why is there no proper plan of action to deal with the LPG crisis?" she asked.
"If citizens are unable to cook at home, they cannot prepare their daily meals at home; if restaurants and small eateries are unable to provide cooked food, then what does this mean?" Ghose asked, adding that this is not just about shortages, but "a complete failure of the Narendra Modi government that is now staring us in the face".
The TMC had skipped the meeting convened by the Modi government on Wednesday to discuss the West Asia situation, with the party questioning why there is no discussion in Parliament when it is in session and holding a meeting in a "conference room".
In the meeting, the government informed the opposition that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to US President Donald Trump that the war in West Asia must end soon as it is hurting everyone, and dismissed Pakistan's reported mediation in the conflict, saying that India is not a "broker" nation.
After the meeting, the opposition said the government's answers were "unsatisfactory" and demanded a debate on the West Asia situation in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Ghose had also objected to the opposition not being allowed to ask questions in the Rajya Sabha after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a statement on the situation in West Asia.
Modi on Tuesday stated in the Rajya Sabha that the government has constituted seven empowered groups to develop strategies for fuel, supply chains, and fertilizers, among others, to mitigate the impact of the West Asia crisis.
He said the war has created a serious energy crisis globally, warned miscreants against taking advantage of the crisis, and asked state governments to check black marketing and hoarding.
Modi also asserted that the government is trying to procure gas and crude oil from all available sources, and efforts will continue in the coming days, while noting that necessary preparations have been made for the adequate supply of fertilizers.
Opposition parties have been up in arms over the LPG situation since the beginning of the second part of the Budget Session, and have staged protests inside and outside Parliament over the issue.