New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha saw a war of words Monday over the LPG crisis between Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Union Minister and Leader of the Upper House J.P. Nadda.
Kharge questioned the Centre for not taking preemptive steps. Nadda attacked the Congress for “inciting the peaceful people of the country” and bringing “anarchy” during a crisis.
Speaking during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge discussed the LPG crisis in India, owing to the war between the United States-Israel and Iran in West Asia.
“There is an uproar in the entire country due to the LPG crisis. This has a very serious impact on the poor, vulnerable, middle class, restaurants, hostels, and commercial users,” Kharge said Monday.
He highlighted that India imports nearly 60 percent of its LPG requirements, and 90 percent of its total imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He, therefore, asserted that the current situation is concerning in terms of LPG domestic availability and price stability.
“Our honourable Petroleum Minister claimed in the Lok Sabha that there is no shortage of LPG and warned against falling for rumours, but the ground situation is proving government claims wrong. When the government issued advisories to Indian citizens in Iran that the situation might worsen, it should have clarified that this could impact critical maritime routes and energy supplies,” Kharge said, stressing on how the country should have prepared for the same.
He added that the government must have received hints of regional tensions and possible disruptions in LPG imports, and that if advance planning and alternative arrangements had been made, the current situation would not have arisen.
Kharge also put the focus on LPG cylinders’ increased price and waiting period. “This is leading to hoarding and panic booking. This raises a few important questions. If the government knew that LPG imports were going to be in crisis, why weren’t alternative arrangements made? Why wasn’t the Opposition taken into confidence for a coordinated response and for calming public anxiety? Why isn’t the government taking strict action to stop black marketing and hoarding?” he asked.
Kharge said that the crisis revealed the poor condition of the country’s administration, putting the spotlight on weakness in India’s foreign as well as energy policy.
Responding to Kharge’s remarks, Nadda said, “I am sad to see that our Opposition, especially the Indian National Congress, does not back away from indulging in politics, even in times of crisis. India does not have any contribution to this crisis, but the international situation has led to this crisis.”
“A Congress leader has been caught hoarding cylinders. They are inciting the peaceful people of the country…Instead of standing with the country during such a crisis, they try to create turmoil…and bring anarchy to the country. This is condemnable,” he added.
Nadda also emphasised the procedural rules of the House during Zero Hour, pointing out that members had to conclude their speeches within three minutes.
On the other hand, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of not paying heed or listening to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri when he made a statement on the crisis.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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