No shortage of cooking gas, opposition spreading fear: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said in Nagpur that there is no shortage of cooking gas in the state and accused the Congress of deliberately spreading fear among the people.

Replying to a question why people are queueing up outside gas distribution and retail agencies, Fadnavis said, “Some parties, especially the Congress party, are deliberately trying to create fear among the people and make them queue up. But the central government, the petroleum companies and the petroleum secretary have clearly stated that there is no crisis of cooking gas cylinders anywhere. We have delivered as many gas cylinders as are required per month. Therefore, there is no reason to worry or queue up unnecessarily. Online booking is happening. The Congress party’s wisdom of creating fear is destructive for the country.”

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In a related development, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal tweeted from his official X account that “Due to the Gulf war, many rumours have spread in the state regarding the supply of gas and fuel in the state of Maharashtra. There is no shortage of LPG in the state. On behalf of the state government, I appeal to the public not to believe any rumours regarding fuel or gas shortages. Also, while the daily demand for domestic LPG in the state is 9,000 metric tonnes, production has been increased to 11,000 metric tonnes. More cylinders are available in the month of March as compared to the last six months. Adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are also available since refineries are operating at full capacity. Therefore, citizens can rest assured that the supply of domestic gas cylinders will continue to be smooth”.

However, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut lashed out at the BJP government.

“The situation now is ‘Narendra Gaayab Cylinder Gaayab’ (Narendra is missing and gas cylinders are missing). Who is supposed to convene a meeting to address these concerns? The Prime Minister is missing. In my house, my wife has been waiting for gas cylinders for two days. We also need a cooking gas cylinder, just like everyone needs one. I met around 70 people this morning, asking me where to get cooking gas cylinders. This is the situation. Narendra Modi should answer,” Sanjay Raut said.

“The Prime Minister appealed to the people not to be afraid, saying that he will handle this situation as well as he handled the Covid pandemic period. But during the COVID pandemic period, people’s bodies were floating in the Ganga, and even in Gujarat, people did not get space in crematoriums to burn the pyres of those who died. So is he going to handle the cooking gas crisis in the same way? There are huge queues for cooking gas cylinders all over the country. After demonetisation, people are again standing in queues for cooking gas cylinders. This government is anti-people. This situation has been brought upon our country due to the government’s complete failure in international politics. Making people stand in queues and killing people is the hobby of the BJP,” Sanjay Raut said.

“All of this is happening because this government has proven to be a failure in the realm of international politics. With what face do you (PM) intend to engage in dialogue with Iran? It is imperative to adopt a neutral stance and extend moral support to Iran. Our diplomatic ties are not limited merely to facilitating the release of oil tankers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should publicly thank Iran after it allowed Indian tankers to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, despite India standing with Israel. The PM should acknowledge Iran’s cooperation and humanity toward India,” Sanjay Raut said.

Tweeting a photograph of the highly polluted Mithi river in Mumbai, Sanjay Raut stated, “Modi has sold everything to Adani so far. Only a few rivers, drains and sewers were left. Among them is the Mithi River. The world’s largest natural gas reserves have been found in the Mithi River. The BJP has demanded that it must be immediately declared a ‘national asset’. Now LPG will be available for free. Modi said that gas can be extracted from sewers and used for cooking or making tea. This scheme can be implemented on a large scale on the Mithi river. Wherever there are sewers, their prices have increased. So far, only the price of real estate in Mumbai used to increase, but now, due to Modi’s grace, prices of rivers, drains, sewers and drainages have also shot up. Fadnavis must request the Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to take over the Mithi river and declare it a national asset,” Sanjay Raut said.

“Governments at both the state and centre are spreading rumours that everything is running smoothly. On the other hand, BJP leaders are currently busy with election campaigning in South India. The hotel industry has shut down 40 per cent. Yet, Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have not uttered a single word regarding this. Hardeep Puri told the Lok Sabha that there is no shortage of fuel in the country and LPG production has been increased by 28 per cent. If that is true, then the Petroleum Minister should answer why there are queues of customers outside gas distribution agencies across the country and why restaurants in the country are closing down,” Sanjay Raut said.

“If LPG stocks are sufficient, why did the government extend the period for booking cooking gas cylinders? Why was a rule made that cooking gas can be booked only after 25 days instead of 21 days in cities, and after a whopping 45 days in rural areas? On the one hand, the government claims that cooking gas cylinder stocks are sufficient. On the other hand, the government claims that gas production has increased, but it has also extended the period for booking gas cylinders. Are these statements not self-contradictory?” Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said.