Chaos in Assembly Over Gas Crisis

The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed heated scenes on Thursday as opposition members created an uproar over the alleged shortage of LPG cylinders in the state. The protest took place on the fourth day of the second phase of the Budget Session, disrupting normal proceedings in the House.

Amid loud sloganeering and protests by opposition MLAs, the Assembly could not function smoothly. As the situation worsened, Speaker Surama Padhy was forced to adjourn the House until 11:30 AM.

War Impact Triggers LPG Supply Concerns

The opposition claimed that the ongoing global conflict, particularly tensions between Iran and Israel, has begun affecting LPG supplies. Reports of gas shortages have created panic among consumers across the state.

Restaurants, street food vendors, and auto-rickshaw operators have reportedly been affected due to the limited availability of commercial LPG cylinders. Fearing further shortages, many residents are rushing to gas agencies to secure cylinders.

Long Queues Outside Gas Agencies

Customers have been seen standing in long queues outside gas distribution centres across the state. From the capital city Bhubaneswar to Malkangiri, similar scenes of crowding and anxiety have been reported.

However, gas distributors have clarified that there is currently no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders. According to distributors, the disruption mainly concerns commercial gas supplies, which has affected hotels and restaurants.

HP Gas distributor Pabitra Mohan Sahu stated that the existing stock of domestic LPG cylinders is sufficient for the next two to three months. He added that while commercial gas supply is temporarily halted, the issue is expected to be resolved soon.

Government Urges People Not to Panic

Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg assured citizens that the state has adequate stock of cooking gas and urged people not to panic.

After a review meeting on the availability of LPG, petrol, and diesel, Garg said there is no shortage of fuel supplies in the state. She also confirmed that institutions such as hospitals and educational establishments are not facing any gas supply problems.

Oil companies have also assured that petrol and diesel supplies remain stable. Authorities have directed oil companies to maintain balance in the supply chain to prevent disruptions.

LPG Prices Rise Across the Country

Adding to public concern, the price of domestic LPG cylinders has recently increased. The cost of a 14.2 kg household LPG cylinder has gone up by ₹60 across the country.

The Union government has also instructed oil companies to increase LPG production using propane and butane gases. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that since LPG is widely used for cooking in most Indian households, ensuring uninterrupted supply is a top priority.

To boost production, refineries have been directed to use propane and butane specifically for LPG manufacturing and avoid using them for other petrochemical products.