Congress Accuses Government of Misinformation Amid LPG Shortage

The Congress party, represented by MP KC Venugopal, sharply criticized the Central Government on Wednesday, accusing them of deceiving the public about a severe LPG shortage exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Venugopal pointed out that gas agencies were reportedly instructed to halt supplying LPG cylinders for commercial purposes, exacerbating the crisis.

Citing further concerns, Congress MP Jebi Mather expressed frustration over the lack of government foresight in managing the situation, particularly regarding its impact on sectors like the hotel industry. Mather also condemned the government's inaction on regulating skyrocketing airfares, particularly in Gulf regions, attributing it to a laissez-faire attitude underpinned by electoral priorities.

In response to the crisis, the Union government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act, aiming to prioritize LPG supply for domestic consumption. This has led to restrictions on commercial distribution across regions and directives for refineries to boost domestic LPG production. The government has allocated significant portions of available LPG to households and essential sectors while imposing a 25-day inter-booking period for domestic refills.