LPG shortage due to centre’s ‘failed foreign policy’, says Regupathy

Pudukkottai: State natural resources minister S Regupathy on Sunday said that the shortage of LPG cylinders is a consequence of the 'failed' foreign policy of the Modi govt.Addressing reporters in Pudukkottai, Regupathy said it was incorrect to attribute the shortage solely to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. "It is not right to say that the shortage of LPG cylinders is only because of the Iran–Israel conflict. This situation is entirely a consequence of the failure of the Modi government's foreign policy," he said. He said the issue was linked to the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz but maintained that alternative imports were possible. "There are no problems in importing LPG from Russia. However, the government is seeking permission from the United States and has succumbed to its pressure," he alleged. Regupathy also criticised the Union government for not maintaining adequate reserves. "Similar conflicts have occurred in the past without leading to such a crisis. The Union government should have proactively imported and stockpiled LPG," he said. Pointing to China's reserves, he said, "China has the capacity to store LPG to meet its requirements for 200 days. The Modi government should have planned for at least a 100-day reserve to avoid such shortages."