On March 12, CPI(ML) MPs Raja Ram Singh and Sudama Prasad joined INDIA bloc protests at Parliament against the government's failure to ensure the availability of LPG and fuels for common people amid escalating US–Israeli aggression against Iran and the uncertainty at the Strait of Hormuz. The MPs said that while the government continues to claim that there is no shortage of LPG, the ground reality tells a different story. Across the country, small restaurants and street vendors are on the verge of shutting down due to lack of LPG availability, while reports of hoarding are widespread.
The silence of the Modi government on the imperialist war, along with rising fuel prices and the non-availability of LPG cylinders, shows a complete abdication of responsibility by the government.
Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, the CPI(ML) State Committee, in a statement issued on March 15, termed the state government’s claims on adequate LPG cylinder availability as unrealistic, pointing to a widening gap between official statements and the situation on the ground.
UP State Committee said that while ministers and officials continue to deny any shortage and label reports of scarcity as rumours, consumers are facing long waiting periods and queues at gas agencies. It added that disruption in supply has forced several small food establishments to shut operations.
The statement drew parallels with the Demonetisation, stating that similar scenes of hardship are being witnessed, with people standing in prolonged queues for essential commodities.
Referring to a recent incident in Farrukhabad district’s Lal Sarai area, CPI(ML) said a 75-year-old man died after falling ill while waiting in line at a gas agency warehouse to collect a cylinder, raising concerns over the human cost of the alleged shortage.
Accusing the government of failing to check black marketing, the party said corruption within the department has allowed illegal practices to continue. It maintained that if the authorities are unable to ensure smooth supply and curb malpractice, they should accept responsibility and resign.
