Heated exchange between BJP, Cong over LPG shortage; house adjourned

Gairsain: A heated exchange broke out between BJP and Congress members in the Uttarakhand assembly on Thursday over the alleged shortage and black marketing of LPG cylinders, forcing the speaker, Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, to adjourn the house for 45 minutes.Opposition Congress MLAs demanded a discussion on the issue of LPG cylinder supply and alleged black marketing. The speaker initially agreed to allow the discussion in the post-lunch session.However, when the house reassembled at 3 pm, parliamentary affairs minister Subodh Uniyal said the issue could not be taken up as LPG supply was a subject under the Centre's jurisdiction. Congress MLAs persisted with their demand, drawing sharp reactions from BJP members. As the deadlock continued, the speaker adjourned the house until 4 pm, and later again for another 15 minutes.When proceedings resumed, both Congress and BJP agreed that leader of opposition Yashpal Arya would raise the issue, followed by Uniyal's response.Arya said the situation in the state was worrying due to the shortage of LPG cylinders. "There are 359 gas agencies, 29 lakh domestic and 55,000 commercial connections. LPG cylinders are being booked 25 days in advance, and mobile apps are also not helping," he said.Uniyal said the government acknowledged a shortage in LPG supply but clarified that only commercial cylinders were affected."The chief secretary has directed all district magistrates to ensure that black marketing and hoarding of cylinders do not take place. The shortage is linked to international issues, and we need to remain prepared for any situation," Uniyal said.