MLA Anuradha Rana Raises LPG Supply Concerns Amid Middle East Tensions; Speaker Assures Government Action.
Shimla:
Lahaul and Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana on Friday raised serious concerns in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha over the impact of the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran on LPG supply across India, particularly in rural and remote regions of the state.
Speaking during Zero Hour, Rana described the situation as an “international issue with local consequences,” highlighting that the conflict over the past two to three weeks has disrupted global supply chains. She pointed out that India depends heavily on imports for LPG, with nearly 60% of its supply sourced from abroad. Of this, around 90% passes through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.
Rana noted that the temporary disruption of this route due to the conflict had triggered a supply crisis in several parts of the country. Although recent diplomatic interventions have allowed some shipments to resume, she said shortages—especially of commercial LPG cylinders—are still being reported in multiple states.
“In Himachal Pradesh, domestic LPG supply is relatively stable for now, but commercial cylinder availability is being affected,” she told the House.
The MLA also raised concerns over the refill interval guidelines issued by the central government under the Essential Commodities Act. She said the current norms allow a refill span of 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural regions, calling the longer rural interval “unfair and impractical.”
“A single LPG cylinder typically lasts only about a month in rural households. In regions like Lahaul-Spiti, where forest resources are scarce and alternative fuels are limited, people cannot rely on firewood. Extending the refill period to 45 days puts unnecessary hardship on residents,” Rana argued.
She urged the state government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to take up the matter with the Centre and push for reducing the rural refill interval to 25–30 days, bringing it in line with urban standards.
Responding to the issue, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and assured the House that appropriate steps would be taken.
“This is indeed an important issue raised during Zero Hour. The government will take necessary action considering its gravity, and the House will be informed of the steps taken,” Pathania said.
The discussion reflects growing concern in hill states over how global geopolitical tensions are beginning to affect essential commodity supplies at the grassroots level.
