LPG shortage shows administrative failure of Centre, state: Akhilesh

Lucknow: Claiming there is LPG cylinders crisis in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said it was the result of failure of central and state govts and said the situation has forced people to revert to traditional wood-fired stoves.Speaking to reporters after meeting Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in Lucknow, Akhilesh said there was a sudden rush in the market for electric cooktops as an alternative to LPG cylinders. Akhilesh alleged that both central and state govts were evading responsibility for the crisis.He further claimed that even in the home district of the chief minister and the parliamentary constituency of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people were standing in long queues for LPG cylinders. "Earlier, people stood in lines during demonetisation, then for LPG cylinders and even for Aadhaar. The BJP govt completely failed," he said. The SP chief also alleged that the current situation in Uttar Pradesh suggested a breakdown of governance. "For the past few days, it seems as if there is no govt in the state. Incidents are happening continuously, and there is pressure on the media to suppress the truth," he said.About his meeting with Swami Avimukteshwaranand, Akhilesh said he sought the seer's blessings for future initiatives. "I received his blessings. Before starting any good work or moving forward with new initiatives, it is always auspicious to receive the blessings of saints and spiritual leaders. With the blessings of the seer, the influence of fake saints will come to an end," he said.‘CM spreading misinformation about LPG cylinders' Lucknow: Akhilesh Yadav accused CM Yogi Adityanath of "spreading misinformation" about the availability of LPG cylinders in the state, and demanded action against officials whose orders, he said, triggered confusion among consumers. Akhilesh said govt was blaming ‘rumours' for the heavy rush at LPG distribution centres, even as images from across districts showed long queues of people waiting to refill cylinders. Questioning govt's claim of "no shortage" of LPG, he asked: "If cylinders are available in abundance then why are people standing in long queues? The pictures and videos make it clear what the situation really is."