NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) working president and MP Supriya Sule on Monday raised concerns over a reported shortage of LPG cylinders across the country, questioning why the Centre was allegedly “hiding the reality” despite difficulties being faced by citizens.
Speaking to journalists in Delhi, Sule clarified that she was not making allegations against either the Union government or the Maharashtra government, but was drawing attention to what she described as a growing problem on the ground.
“Today, people in India, especially homemakers, are facing difficulties. I don’t understand why the Government of India is hiding this reality. If the Chief Minister of Maharashtra watches the coverage across channels, he will understand where the gaps are,” she said.
Sule claimed that reports of LPG-related problems were emerging from several parts of the country and questioned why authorities had not acknowledged the situation.
“If there is a shortage, why is the government not admitting it? The LPG supply system has collapsed and we are demanding a discussion on the issue in Parliament. If there is a shortage, the government should come forward and tell people the truth. There are reports of scuffles breaking out over cylinders. What exactly is happening in Maharashtra and across India?” she asked.
Highlighting the economic impact of the alleged shortage, Sule said several businesses had come to a halt due to the lack of gas supply. She claimed that commercial LPG was unavailable in Baramati and alleged that industries in MIDC areas had reduced their workforce by nearly 75 percent because of the situation.
She further said similar conditions were being reported from cities including Pune, Nashik, Beed, Jalgaon and Nagpur, adding that the problem was not confined to Maharashtra but appeared to be affecting other parts of the country as well.
“Earlier people had to stand in queues to get gas, but now they are not getting it at all. The data clearly shows there is a shortage. What are the Maharashtra and Union governments waiting for? This is not a political issue. We request the government to convene an all-party meeting and the government should make a statement in Parliament on the matter,” Sule said.
She also remarked that recent comments by Rahul Gandhi on the issue appeared to be “turning out to be true.”
