Chandigarh:
Aam Aadmi Party’s National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda launched a sharp attack on the BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana over the growing LPG gas shortage in the state. He said that due to the government’s negligence, a serious cooking gas crisis has emerged across the state, causing immense hardship for the common people.
Anurag Dhanda said that in many cities and towns of the state, long queues are forming outside gas agencies from early morning. People are forced to wait for several hours and still have to return empty-handed. In districts such as Panipat, Karnal, Hisar and nearby areas, the situation has become so severe that people are unable to get cylinders even after standing in line for 7 to 9 hours. At several places, gas agencies are shutting their shutters after stock runs out, forcing people to return disappointed.
He said that according to reports, gas deliveries in several districts have dropped significantly compared to normal days. In some places, 300–350 cylinders at a single agency are getting exhausted within minutes, while hundreds of people remain in line. Dhanda said that work has stopped in 220 LPG-based factories in Panipat. Domestic gas deliveries have reportedly dropped by nearly 80 percent. From small tea vendors to dhaba and hotel owners, many are being forced to shut down their businesses. Not only domestic consumers but also hotels, dhabas, tea stalls and small traders are severely affected.
Anurag Dhanda further said that in many parts of the state the situation has become so difficult that people are being forced to return to wood-fired stoves or other alternatives. Due to the gas shortage, small businesses are on the verge of closure. There are also reports of black marketing of cylinders in several areas, where people are being charged between ₹2000 and ₹3000 for a single cylinder. This clearly reflects the failure of the government.
He said that in many villages of Haryana, women are spending the entire day visiting gas agencies in search of cylinders. Elderly people and labourers are forced to leave their work and stand in queues. It is extremely unfortunate that in a country where the government constantly promotes the “Ujjwala Yojana,” poor and middle-class households are now struggling to even cook food.
Anurag Dhanda said that the BJP government only indulges in propaganda and slogan-based politics, while the ground reality is completely different. If the government had proper planning and management, such a gas crisis would never have arisen in Haryana. He added that the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi has shown that with honest intentions and efficient administration, people do not have to face such hardships.
He demanded that the central and state governments immediately increase gas supply, take strict action against black marketing, and ensure adequate stock at gas agencies across all districts. He also said that the Aam Aadmi Party stands with the people of Haryana and will continue to strongly raise this issue until relief is provided to the public.
