Ministers Calm LPG Fears as Opp Slams Shortages Amid Middle East Tensions

Goyal: No Fuel Shortage in India

Union Minister Piyush Goyal reassured the public that there is no fuel shortage in India, despite concerns in global energy markets stemming from the unrest in West Asia. He emphasized that the Central government is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to maintain a steady flow of fuel across the country.
"There is absolutely no shortage of fuel. More details are being worked out. A serious war is going on... In this situation, there will be concerns that will be made known to everybody from time to time by the relevant departments... They are monitoring the situation very closely," he said.

Karandlaje: Don't Panic Over LPG

Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje urged citizens not to panic about reports of LPG shortages impacting the hospitality sector. She highlighted that the government is actively working to address these challenges, which have arisen from ongoing conflicts in West Asia.
"No one should panic. Our government is committed to resolving the problems faced by hotels in Bengaluru. People should also cooperate with us while keeping the global situation in mind. We are also working to bring back Indians, including Kannadigas, from the regions where the war is taking place. Our government is committed to resolving the various problems arising in our country due to the war, and I request the state governments to cooperate in this effort," Karandlaje said.

Opposition Slams Centre Over Shortages

Meanwhile, political leaders from different regions, including West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, criticized the Central government for the commercial LPG shortages.
The Punjab government, led by AAP, passed a resolution against the Centre regarding this issue, while the Congress party called for a thorough discussion in Parliament about the West Asia crisis and its impact on energy supplies, insisting that the public deserves transparency.

Hospitality Sector Faces Shutdown Risk

The ongoing gas crisis in India is hitting the hospitality sector hard. According to the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), nearly 60% of restaurants could face closure if the shortage of commercial gas cylinders worsens.
In cities like Mumbai, restaurants are cutting back their menus, while households nationwide are adapting to the situation by purchasing induction stoves, as the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for gas supplies.