Mumbai, March 11 (NationPress) The leader of the Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party, Vijay Wadettiwar, brought to light the pressing issue of gas shortages in Mumbai and various regions of Maharashtra during an Assembly session, amidst the rising tensions in West Asia. He called for an urgent clarification from the state government.

Wadettiwar characterized the situation as a serious crisis, noting that the gas scarcity has transcended the commercial sector, now impacting the kitchens of everyday families.

He accused the government of misleading the populace and urged transparency regarding the true state of affairs, stating that numerous families are finding it challenging to fulfill their daily cooking requirements.

The gas shortage, according to Wadettiwar, has escalated to a critical level, affecting both residential users and businesses. “Approximately 30% of hotels in cities such as Mumbai and Nagpur have reportedly closed due to the gas unavailability. Even during yesterday’s extended Assembly session, which lasted until 1 a.m., the canteen was forced to shut down, and local hotels were also unavailable because of the fuel shortage,” he emphasized.

He also highlighted a concerning breakdown in law and order, referencing a recent incident where a truck carrying gas cylinders valued at around Rs 18 lakh was allegedly stolen, raising fears of a potential black market for cylinders.

Wadettiwar expressed that the shortage has generated widespread anxiety, especially among women, and protests have erupted in Kolhapur, Vidarbha, and several other areas of the state. “If this disruption is a result of war-like conditions or global factors, the government needs to be transparent. It should update the Assembly on the current stock levels and the definitive measures being undertaken to restore regular supplies,” he insisted.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Prabhu also addressed the issue in the Assembly, seeking answers from the state government.

The Opposition criticized the Union government's recent regulation that prohibits domestic LPG consumers from ordering a refill within 25 days of their last delivery, labeling it an “anti-citizen” policy that overlooks the needs of larger families.

In response to these concerns, Speaker Rahul Narwekar acknowledged that LPG supply falls under the Central government's purview, yet emphasized that the state government must take all necessary actions to protect public interests. He directed the government to collaborate with the Centre to ensure that citizens' needs are adequately met.

Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the situation, mentioning that while there have been some disruptions in imports, the Centre has instructed oil refineries to boost production by 10% and prioritize domestic consumers to lessen the impact on households.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal reassured the Assembly that the state government is vigilantly monitoring supply chains on a district basis to prevent hoarding and artificial inflation of prices.