kerala-cm-urges-pm-to-ensure-lpg-supply-amid-shortage-fears

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure adequate availability of LPG in the country amid concerns over supply disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia.

 

In a statement issued from Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayan expressed serious concern over the availability of cooking gas and called for urgent steps to mitigate the impact of rising prices.

 

The chief minister said concerns had been raised across the country about LPG availability following the escalation of conflicts in West Asia.

 

He noted that the recent hike in cooking gas prices had already increased the financial burden on ordinary households.

 

Reports have also emerged about shortages of LPG cylinders in various parts of Kerala, Vijayan said, adding that limiting the booking interval for domestic LPG connections to 27 days had worsened the situation.

 

According to the chief minister, there were apprehensions that uncertainty in LPG supply could also affect the service sector, particularly hotels and restaurants.

 

Workers travelling between districts and migrant labourers arriving from other states often rely on these establishments for daily meals, he said.

Also read: No LPG shortage in NE despite West Asia war: IOC

“If the disruption in gas supply continues, many establishments may be forced to halt operations,” Vijayan said, citing warnings from the business community.

 

The chief minister also pointed out that demand for cooking gas among households is expected to increase during Ramadan.

 

“In this situation affecting the lives of ordinary people as well as the business sector, the Centre should urgently intervene to ensure adequate availability of LPG and reduce the impact of the price rise,” he said.

 

Vijayan urged the prime minister to take steps to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply for domestic consumers as well as hotels and restaurants, and consider introducing a protection mechanism if necessary.

 

He suggested that the Centre could explore providing subsidies through budgetary resources to cushion consumers from the impact of rising prices and potential supply disruptions.