Mumbai, March 14 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government regarding the ongoing disruption in LPG supplies, attributing it to the intensifying conflict in West Asia. They claim that despite the government's assertions of "adequate stocks," the nation is grappling with a worsening cooking gas crisis, leaving numerous kitchens devoid of gas.

In a pointed editorial published in their official publication, Saamana, the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray highlighted the growing disparity between the government's statements and the actual situation on the ground. This is evident from the long lines forming outside gas agencies and the closure of many restaurants due to the gas supply shortfall.

While the Centre insists that LPG production is on the rise and supply is consistent, the editorial contends that the real conditions starkly contradict this narrative. It pointed out that the scarcity of commercial cooking gas cylinders is now impacting multiple cities throughout the nation, including various locations in Maharashtra.

The piece also noted that this crisis has been worsened by geopolitical strains in West Asia, especially due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies. Countries like India, which heavily rely on imports from the Gulf region for petrol, diesel, and LPG, are now facing serious repercussions.

The editorial stated, "Customers are enduring long waits not just in Mumbai and Pune, but also in cities like Bhopal, Indore, and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. Student hostels in Pune have had to remove poli-bhaji (flatbread and vegetables) from their menus, with students receiving messages to subsist on varan-bhat (dal and rice) until the gas shortage is addressed. Moreover, the Nath Shashti Yatra in Paithan, Marathwada, faced significant disruptions, with many processions forced to return halfway due to the lack of gas."

It further observed that the domestic fallout is becoming increasingly grave, as the government has halted gas supplies to various industries, leading to the shutdown of several businesses and jeopardizing millions of jobs. In Mumbai alone, it is reported that over 30 percent of hotels and restaurants have ceased operations, with the crucial wedding season and tourism peak in March-April now in jeopardy as caterers decline orders due to skyrocketing cylinder prices. Even the renowned Ganpatipule Temple in the Konkan region has halted the distribution of its traditional prasad (offerings) due to fuel shortages.

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri asserted in the Lok Sabha that LPG production has surged by 28 percent and that the supply chain remains uninterrupted. However, this assertion clashes with recent government regulations that have extended the mandatory wait time for gas bookings. The new guidelines stipulate that urban residents can only book a refill every 25 days (up from 21), while rural consumers must now wait 45 days.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena argued that the government's claim of sufficient stocks, while simultaneously implementing booking restrictions, reveals a glaring contradiction. The reality of the shortage is apparent in the long queues and shuttered businesses, irrespective of the government's optimistic proclamations. They questioned, who is the government attempting to fool?

As "hollow assertions" of sufficiency continue to emanate from the capital, the harsh reality of shuttered factories and hungry students indicates a much more dire situation than what the government is prepared to acknowledge, they concluded.