House expresses urgency over emerging LPG crisis as panic spreads across Punjab
Centre’s weak & directionless foreign policy pushing India towards energy crisis, resolution states
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
A resolution on the Union Government’s failure in foreign policy and its impact on the country’s energy security was tabled before the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday, expressing deep concern over the emerging gas and energy crisis across the country. The resolution, tabled in the House by Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, will be discussed in detail in the Assembly on Thursday (tomorrow).
The House also witnessed disruptions and uproar as the resolution was introduced, with members raising concerns over the growing shortage of LPG and the serious economic implications of the situation. The Speaker stated that the resolution had been formally tabled and that a full discussion on the matter would take place in the Assembly tomorrow.
Members emphasised that the House feels a strong sense of urgency in the matter, as reports of LPG shortages have begun to create panic among consumers, restaurants, dhabas and small traders across Punjab.
Tabling the resolution, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak stated that the House records its deep concern and serious dissatisfaction over the situation arising in the country due to the Union Government’s failed foreign policy and imbalanced energy policy. “This House records with deep concern and serious dissatisfaction that due to the Union Government’s failed foreign policy and imbalanced energy policy, a situation of energy crisis has emerged across the country,” Lal Chand Kataruchak said.
He noted that the present circumstances in India are not merely the result of international developments but are also a consequence of what he described as a weak, inconsistent and directionless foreign policy. “The situation prevailing in India today is not only the result of international circumstances but also the outcome of the weak, inconsistent and directionless foreign policy of the Union Government,” Lal Chand Kataruchak added.
The Minister warned that the country’s energy security is now facing a serious threat, with alarming reports of LPG shortages emerging from several parts of the country. “Reports are emerging about a severe shortage of LPG supply. Because of this, restaurants, dhabas, small traders and ordinary consumers across the country are facing a serious crisis,” Lal Chand Kataruchak stated.
He informed the House that several major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai are already reporting significant shortages of LPG. The National Restaurant Association, representing more than five lakh restaurants in the country, has warned that if LPG supplies are not normalised within the next 72 hours, thousands of restaurants and food establishments may be forced to shut down.
The Minister also pointed out that the crisis is clearly visible in Punjab as well, where the supply of commercial gas cylinders has been disrupted in several areas and restaurant, dhaba and small hotel operators are being forced to wait for long periods to obtain cylinders. “In many places, the supply of commercial gas cylinders is being disrupted. Restaurant, dhaba and small hotel operators are having to wait for long periods to obtain cylinders. The costs of small traders and food establishments are rising rapidly, while ordinary people are bearing the direct burden of rising domestic LPG cylinder prices,” Lal Chand Kataruchak said.
He further said that instead of reassuring the public in these circumstances, the Union Government has increased the prices of gas cylinders. “In such circumstances, instead of reassuring the public, the Union Government is increasing the prices of gas cylinders. This situation itself indicates that the Union Government is attempting to conceal the seriousness of the crisis,” Lal Chand Kataruchak added.
The resolution also raises concerns about whether the country’s foreign policy is being shaped in a manner that prioritises the interests of a few corporate entities at the cost of India’s energy security.
The House was informed that domestic LPG cylinder prices currently stand at ₹913 in Delhi, ₹939 in Mumbai and ₹1002 in Chennai, while domestic cylinder prices have recently been increased by ₹60 and commercial cylinder prices by ₹1500.
Supporting the resolution, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Union Government’s flawed foreign policy has compromised the country’s interests. “Due to the Union Government’s flawed foreign policy, the interests of the country have been bartered away to the United States,” Harpal Singh Cheema stated.
Speaking in favour of the resolution, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains described the country’s foreign policy as a failure and pointed to the emerging challenges in the fertiliser and energy sectors. “NFL units at Nangal and Bathinda are almost shut down. From where will we get the urea? It is not only about LPG but LNG also. While the Panipat plant has been getting full supply,” Harjot Singh Bains said.
The resolution placed before the House strongly condemns the Union Government’s failed foreign and energy policies which, it states, have pushed the country towards a serious energy crisis. It demands that the Union Government immediately take emergency steps to restore normal LPG supplies, roll back the increase in prices of domestic and commercial gas cylinders, adopt a clear and transparent energy policy that places India’s national interests at the forefront, and announce immediate relief measures for small traders, the restaurant industry and ordinary consumers affected by the crisis.
The resolution also calls upon the Union Government to redefine the country’s foreign and energy policies in line with national interests, economic stability and the needs of the people to prevent such crises in the future.
The Assembly will take up a detailed discussion on the resolution on Thursday (tomorrow).