Trinamool Congress Blasts Central Government Over Cooking Gas Price Surge
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Kolkata, March 12 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress has vocally condemned the abrupt hike in cooking gas prices across the nation, attributing this situation to the ongoing US-Iran conflict in West Asia.
During a press briefing at Trinamool Bhavan in Kolkata, state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and party spokesperson Tanmay Ghosh stated that the Central government’s inadequate foresight has resulted in the current gas crisis.
Chandrima Bhattacharya pointed out that disruptions in gas supply via the Strait of Hormuz were predictable given the war-like conditions in West Asia. She criticized the Centre for failing to make necessary preparations while Prime Minister Modi was visiting Israel.
She further alleged that the cost of cooking gas surged by Rs 60, reaching Rs 1,000 in a single move, and noted a newly imposed 25-day delay for booking a new cylinder, which she argued has effectively created a nationwide emergency.
The Trinamool leadership emphasized the immense struggles faced by ordinary citizens due to this decision.
“Restaurants and hotels in various regions are compelled to utilize household LPG due to the shortage of commercial LPG. This gas crisis has also resulted in increased auto-rickshaw fares,” Tanmay Ghosh remarked.
He likened the current scenario to the time of demonetisation and the Covid-19 lockdown, asserting that the BJP government is repeatedly forcing the common citizen to wait in long lines.
Despite their criticism of the Centre, the Trinamool Congress leaders reassured the public that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is ready to address the situation.
“To ensure a consistent gas supply within the state, we have ordered that gas from our own refineries in Haldia, Kalyani, and Durgapur should not be exported outside the state until order is restored,” Ghosh stated.
Additionally, the state administration is closely monitoring the cooking for mid-day meals and ICDS in schools to prevent any disruption of these essential services.