New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI) BJP Rajya Sabha MP Arun Singh on Monday accused the Congress and Samajwadi Party of “hoarding gas cylinders”, as the West Asia crisis and its impact on the cooking gas situation featured in the debate on the appropriation bill in the Upper House. Participating in a debate on the Appropriation Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said the additional funds sought by the government are for the “poor, farmers, and soldiers”, and to maintain the country’s development pace.
Referring to the Opposition’s criticism of the Economic Stabilisation Fund in the Supplementary Demands for Grants, he called it a precautionary step. In response to the Opposition’s criticism of the government regarding the supply of cooking gas cylinders, Singh accused the opposition parties of spreading negativity. Singh alleged that, according to reports, Abdul Rehman, a Samajwadi Party leader in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur, was found hoarding “55 gas cylinders”.
“How many cylinders must Congress and SP be hiding? They are spreading panic…this is not right,” Singh said. Singh also claimed that even though ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz was impacted, a ship carrying crude oil for India reached Mumbai on March 12. He said that another ship with LPG is heading towards India, and Iran has assured it would not be stopped.
He claimed that this is due to the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi commands respect globally. Meanwhile, Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil raised concern over the LPG situation and called it a “man-made crisis”. He accused the government of giving up on India’s non-alignment policy.
“Did you not know the Strait of Hormuz is important for us? We had good relations with Iran, we did not need to go to Israel, calling it Fatherland…” Gohil said. “Political parties come and go, foreign policy is for the nation…Today, you are forced to bring an economic stabilisation fund. I would like to tell the minister, your biggest concern should be about gas supply,” he said.
Gohil also expressed concern, alleging a shortage of Urea in the country. DMK MP P Wilson recalled that in 2011, as the main opposition party, the BJP had hit the streets carrying cylinders when prices of LPG were increased. “Where is the ‘Aam Aadmi ka government’ (common people’s government),” Wilson asked. “India consumes about 80,000 tonnes of LPG per day, roughly 30 to 31 million tonnes annually. But our national storage capacity barely covers three to four weeks of consumption, and strategic reserves are extremely limited.
“Nearly 60 to 67 per cent of our LPG is imported, mostly from West Asia through the Strait of Hormuz, marking India’s high vulnerability to geopolitical disruption,” he said. He alleged that instead of creating strategic reserves and strengthening supply chains, the government has allowed supply uncertainty and price escalation.
“Today, those warnings have become a reality. The consequences are severe. In Tamil Nadu alone, over 60,000 factories and commercial establishments depend on LPG and similar fuels,” he said.
BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari said the Appropriation Bill makes a provision for Rs 2.81 lakh (expenditure), which includes Rs 2 lakh crore net cash outgo.
He said that the rising prices of crude oil will show its impact on fertiliser, gas, food grains, transport and the overall economy.
These provisions are made keeping in view of all such eventualities.
He told the House that out of the Rs 2.81 lakh crore, Rs one lakh crore is kept for technical supplementary of token provision.
The government can use this fund in an emergency.
Rs 23,641 crore has been provided for free food for over 80 crore people in the country.
He said that all political parties should stand united when any crisis hits the country.
During the crisis, Shivalik and Nanda Devi ships sailed safely to the country, he said, adding that all 28 ships will reach India safely.
About 50 lakh cylinders were booked every day, which has now escalated to 88 lakh due to panic created by these people (Opposition), he said.
BJP MP Rambhai Mokariya supported the bill, saying it presents strong economic benefits in the country.
NCP-SCP MP Fauzia Khan also participated in the discussion. PTI AO KKS AO BAL BAL BAL
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.