Contentious Fuel Politics: Government's PNG Push Amid Opposition Criticism

In a charged exchange over fuel policies, Janata Dal United MP Sanjay Kumar Jha asserted that the Indian government maintains tight oversight and control over LPG supplies. Speaking to the press, Jha accused the opposition of sowing confusion about resource availability, stressing that claims of shortages are unsubstantiated.

Contrastingly, Congress's Priyanka Gandhi took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, blaming him for the recent hikes in LPG prices. She accused Modi of compromising India's stance by submitting to external influences like the U.S. and Israel, further arguing that the government's policies are exacerbating trade difficulties.

Amid these allegations, the Indian government is shifting its focus toward increasing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections as an alternative. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, announced initiatives to expand PNG access, aiming at easing the demands on LPG supplies, while encouraging states to facilitate this shift through regulatory adjustments.