Kharge flags potential LPG supply crisis in Rajya Sabha, seeks government action
Kharge flags potential LPG supply crisis in Rajya Sabha, seeks government action
M.U.H
16/03/202611
Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday warned of a potential liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply crisis in India, saying disruptions linked to ongoing tensions in West Asia could affect the domestic availability and prices of cooking gas across the country.
Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge said the situation was causing widespread distress among households, small businesses and commercial establishments, and urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure stable supplies and curb black marketing.
“The issue I wish to raise is of such importance that I must request a little extra time to draw the government’s attention to the looming LPG crisis in the country triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia,” Kharge said.
Highlighting India’s dependence on imports, he said the country imports nearly 60 percent of its total LPG requirement, and around 90 percent of these supplies pass through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. According to him, any disruption in the route due to geopolitical tensions could directly impact India’s energy supply chain.
“The LPG crisis has caused widespread distress across the country. It has gravely affected the poor and vulnerable sections, the middle class, ordinary households, restaurants, hostels and commercial users alike,” Kharge said. “From roadside dhabas to community kitchens such as Ram Rasoi, many establishments are facing severe shortages or have been forced to shut down temporarily.”
He claimed that several eateries, hostels and commercial kitchens were struggling to procure LPG cylinders, with some users allegedly forced to buy cylinders in the open market at prices exceeding Rs 5,000 each.
Kharge also questioned the government’s assertion that there was no shortage of LPG. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had earlier told the Lok Sabha that adequate supplies were available and had advised the public not to believe rumours about shortages. “Our Honourable Minister of Petroleum claimed that there is no shortage of LPG and advised people not to believe rumours, but the ground reality stands in stark contradiction to these claims,” Kharge said.
He argued that the government should have anticipated possible disruptions given the deteriorating situation in West Asia and made advance preparations to secure alternative supplies and build reserves.
“When the government issued advisories to Indian citizens regarding the situation in Iran, it should also have clarified that such tensions could affect critical maritime routes and energy supplies,” Kharge said. “If advance planning and alternative arrangements had been made in time, the situation would not have become so serious.”
The Congress leader further pointed to supply restrictions reportedly imposed on several industries, stating that industrial consumers were receiving only 80 percent of their average supply over the past six months, while fertiliser plants had been restricted to 70 percent. Refineries and petrochemical units were also facing reductions in supply, he said.
Kharge also criticised the recent increase in LPG prices, noting that domestic cylinder prices had been raised by Rs 60 while commercial cylinders had seen a hike of Rs 115.
“If the government’s claims are correct and the shortfall has been compensated through alternative procurement, then why are these restrictions being imposed and why have prices been increased?” he asked.
He warned that longer waiting periods for cylinder bookings were contributing to panic buying and hoarding. “The waiting period has increased from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and from 25 to 45 days in remote rural areas. This is fuelling hoarding and panic booking,” Kharge said.
Calling for transparency and coordinated action, Kharge urged the government to take Parliament and the Opposition into confidence and to take strict measures to curb black marketing.
“This crisis exposes not only weaknesses in administrative management but also deeper gaps in our foreign and energy policy framework,” he said. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure stable, accessible and affordable LPG for the poor, the middle class and small traders across the country.”
His remarks come amid rising global concerns over energy supply chains as geopolitical tensions continue to affect shipping routes and energy flows from West Asia, a region that plays a critical role in global oil and gas transportation.
