Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Calls for Immediate LPG Price and Supply Measures
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Thiruvananthapuram, March 11 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, raised alarms on Wednesday regarding the shortage and soaring prices of cooking gas in India. He cautioned that unless this issue is addressed promptly, it could place an escalating financial burden on everyday families and potentially disrupt the service sector.
In his statement, the Chief Minister highlighted the increasing worries about LPG supply, particularly in light of the current conflicts in West Asia.
The recent increase in cooking gas prices has already strained the finances of many households.
Reports have emerged from various regions in Kerala indicating shortages in the availability of domestic LPG cylinders.
This situation has been exacerbated by the limitation that restricts the booking interval for domestic LPG connections to 27 days, complicating access to timely refills for numerous households.
Moreover, Vijayan warned that the uncertainty surrounding LPG supplies could have detrimental effects on the state's hospitality and food service sectors, which includes hotels and restaurants.
These businesses are essential for catering to the food needs of migrant workers and travelers between districts, many of whom depend on such services for their daily meals.
"Continued disruptions in gas supply may compel several establishments to cease operations," he mentioned, reflecting the concerns of the trading community.
Vijayan also emphasized that the situation is particularly alarming as the demand for cooking gas typically escalates during the month of Ramzan, when families require additional fuel for meal preparations.
Given the circumstances affecting both ordinary consumers and the business community, the Chief Minister called on the Central government to take swift action to ensure sufficient LPG supply and alleviate the impacts of the price hikes.
He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement measures that would guarantee an adequate supply of LPG for both residential users and commercial establishments like hotels and restaurants.
Vijayan proposed that the Centre should consider allocating subsidies from budgetary resources if necessary, to establish a protective mechanism that would shield consumers from escalating prices and supply disruptions.