The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday (March 16, 2026) held the Centre responsible for the ongoing LPG crisis, and accused it of failing to take pre-emptive measures despite knowing that the West Asia conflict could disrupt maritime routes and energy supplies.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Upper House, Mr. Kharge said the government had not undertaken advance planning or arranged alternative import routes, even though India imports nearly 60% of its LPG needs, with 90% of these imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
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The impact of the disruption was now visible across the country, from households and community kitchens to small eateries, restaurants, hostels, and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), many of which have scaled down or halted operations due to non‑availability of cylinders, the Congress leader said. Some establishments, he claimed, were procuring LPG at exorbitant rates of above ₹5,000 per cylinder. Waiting time for refills had stretched to 25 days in urban centres, and up to 45 days in villages, triggering panic booking and fears of hoarding, he said.
The government’s assertion in the Lok Sabha that there was no LPG shortage did not match ground realities, Mr. Kharge said. When the government had issued advisories to Indian citizens in Iran warning that the situation could worsen, he argued, it should also have anticipated disruptions to critical maritime routes. Had contingency planning been done earlier, he said, the situation “would not have been so bad”.
Why had the government not taken stringent measures despite being aware that the crisis could escalate, Mr. Kharge asked. “Why didn’t it take the people and the Opposition into confidence?” he said, calling the crisis a result of “dismal management and flawed foreign policy”, and demanding a full discussion in the House.
Rajya Sabha Chairperson C.P. Radhakrishnan repeatedly reminded Mr. Kharge to conclude within the allotted three minutes, although he eventually granted additional time.
Responding to Mr. Kharge’s charge, Union Health Minister and the Leader of the House J.P. Nadda accused the Congress of exploiting a national crisis for political gain instead of standing with the people. The LPG shortage, Mr. Nadda said, was an outcome of the West Asia conflict, in which India had “no contribution”.
A Congress leader had been caught hoarding cylinders, he said, claiming the Opposition was instigating the public and spreading panic. “Instead of supporting the nation, they are trying to create anarchy. This is condemnable,” Mr. Nadda said.
Published - March 16, 2026 02:35 pm IST
