Fear of Gas Shortage Sparks Public Worry: VH Calls for Clear Govt Response

Senior Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao on Saturday raised concerns over public panic following reports of a potential cooking gas shortage in the country. He called on the government to act immediately, warning that hotels were shutting down and black-market activities could increase amid rumors of fuel supply disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict .

Hanumantha Rao noted that while the government claims adequate LPG reserves , this information has not reached local communities. He stressed the importance of providing accurate information to ease public fears. “War-related tensions are affecting petrol and diesel prices , and people now heavily rely on cooking gas instead of traditional fuels like coal or firewood. Rumors of shortages are creating unnecessary anxiety,” he said. He urged a widespread awareness campaign to prevent artificial scarcity.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh countered, asserting that the country is secure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and accused critics of spreading unnecessary fear. He reassured the public that there is no shortage of cooking gas .

Sujata Sharma , Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, clarified that domestic LPG production has increased by 30% since March 5 . She confirmed uninterrupted supply for households, hospitals, and educational institutions. Sharma noted that commercial cylinder distribution has been delegated to state governments to ensure priority delivery. Authorities continue to monitor LPG supplies closely and urged citizens to remain calm.