'Trying to bring anarchy': Centre's response to Kharge raising LPG issue in Rajya Sabha

Kharge said the LPG crisis in the wake of the ongoing conflict in West Asia has caused widespread distress across the country.

New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday raised the issue of LPG shortage in the Rajya Sabha and accused the government of not taking preemptive measures to check the crisis and black marketing of the cooking gas.

In response to Kharge's charges, Union Minister and Leader of the House J P Nadda said that the Opposition is "trying to bring anarchy in the country" instead of standing with the government "in a crisis situation".

Kharge stated during the Zero Hour that the LPG crisis in the wake of the ongoing conflict in West Asia has caused widespread distress across the country. "It is severely impacting the poor and vulnerable, the middle class, ordinary households, restaurants, hostels, and commercial users," he said.

Kharge also alleged that when the conflict in West Asia escalated, the government had issued an advisory to Indian citizens, and since that time, the government knew that the energy supply would be affected.

"Despite this, no preparations were made, and as a result, many sectors of the country are facing problems," he said.

"The crisis has exposed the government's pathetic management and flawed foreign policy," he further said adding that LPG cylinders were being sold in the black market for as high as Rs 5,000 per cylinder.

He urged that the government must immediately take strict measures on the issue and ensure cylinders are available at affordable prices to the public as well as all small traders.

He also disputed Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri's claim that there is no shortage of LPG in the country and advised people to stay away from rumours, but the ground reality is different.

Responding to Kharge's remarks, Nadda said, "They are instigating the peaceful people of the country...in a crisis situation, instead of standing with the country, they are trying to bring anarchy in the country."

(With PTI inputs)