On March 10, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for the Union Government’s intervention to protect the safety of Tamils living in Gulf nations. The request comes in light of the escalating conflict in West Asia involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has ramifications for the region.

In a review meeting held earlier, Stalin focused on assessing the potential impact of the ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions on the state of Tamil Nadu. He expressed concern for Tamil Nadu’s fishermen who may be stranded in the affected areas, emphasizing the urgent need for government action to ensure their welfare.

Stalin also highlighted the looming risk of a shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders due to the escalating conflict, asserting the importance of maintaining supplies for both the public and various commercial sectors in Tamil Nadu. He urged the Central Government to devise alternative arrangements for restaurants facing difficulties due to the commercial gas cylinder shortage, as well as to ensure that additional power supply is available to meet increased demand.

Chennai Hotels Association Seeks Support

The Chennai Hotels Association has echoed similar concerns, urging the Prime Minister to intervene regarding the supply of commercial LPG cylinders essential for the food and hospitality industries. In a formal communication addressed to Prime Minister Modi and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the Association’s President, M Ravi, described the critical need for the inclusion of this supply in the list of essential services, owing to the ongoing shortages in Chennai.

The Association pointed out that key sectors like IT, education, tourism, and event management are facing significant challenges, and they appealed for prompt action to resolve the supply issue.

DMK MP Raises Alarm Over Distribution Halts

DMK Member of Parliament Kanimozhi also raised her concerns regarding reported stoppages in the distribution of commercial LPG cylinders across Southern India, including Tamil Nadu, stating that this has caused considerable public anxiety. She mentioned that concerns about a potential petrol shortage have only intensified the situation.

In a post shared on social media, Kanimozhi urged the Union Government to take immediate measures to prevent disruptions in fuel supplies, emphasizing the potential impact on people’s livelihoods and the state’s economy. She criticized the previous delays in governmental responses during crises and called for timely corrective actions.

LPG Association Reports No Domestic Shortage

In response to the ongoing issues, RK Gupta, the National Vice President of the LPG Association, affirmed that there is no current shortage in the supply of domestic LPG. He stated that though commercial LPG cylinders have not been available since yesterday, hospitals and educational institutions have received exceptions. Gupta reiterated that domestic LPG supply remains uninterrupted.

The Central Government has enacted the Essential Commodities Act of 1955 to monitor the supply and distribution of petroleum products, mandating priority for critical sectors. According to the regulation, sectors such as domestic piped natural gas, compressed natural gas for transport, and LPG production are to maintain supply in accordance with their average usage over the past six months.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has prioritized domestic LPG for households and directed oil refineries to enhance LPG production. Additionally, a committee comprised of three Executive Directors from Oil Marketing Companies has been formed to address requests from commercial users such as hotels and restaurants. As India sources a significant portion of its liquefied natural gas imports from West Asia, the situation remains dynamic and closely monitored.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share