Amid growing concerns over LPG shortages amid the US-Iran conflict, Indian consumers are bypassing panic in favor of parody. From viral memes to biting satire, social media proves that while fuel may be scarce, Indian wit is plentiful.
Here are some of the funniest memes flooding the internet due to LPG shortage:
Read also | LPG Shortage News LIVE: Attempts to manage LPG crisis, says Union Min
India has now officially entered its ‘induction era’, and not through corporate training. Induction cooktops are out of stock in several metro cities on e-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart.
Searches for “induction cooktop” in India have increased over the past two days, according to Google Trends, indicating an increase in consumer interest in electric cooking alternatives.
In addition to the induction cooktop, netizens also explored fun cooking alternatives.
Social media users also joked about LPG cylinders being stolen from households due to the shortage.
Read also | LPG crisis: Check how much a 14.2 kg cooking gas cylinder costs in your city
Some even went so far as to plan to steal cooking gas as a last resort.
While other users joked that Indian moms have a solution for everything:
Indian households connected to piped natural gas also participated in the meme fest, where consumers have not yet felt the direct impact of the shortage.
While the Indian government and oil marketing companies tried to reassure users that the situation was under control, netizens noted that Indian Oil Corp Ltd was sharing ways to save fuel.
As panic LPG bookings rose in the last few hours, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has assured that this is not necessary as the standard delivery time for households remains 2.5 days.
However, ruthless social media mocked the situation with a meme about gas agencies:
It feels like a lockdown in the time of Covid
Talking to India Today, a street food vendor who sells samosas in Noida’s Sector 16 said that there is a sense of insecurity due to LPG shortage.
Promod Kumar shared that he was not sure if he would be able to open his small food stall the next day.
A vendor who usually buys a gas cylinder on the black market said prices have already shot up ₹1,000 to ₹1,500. And his last purchase was from ₹2,300. This has forced Promod and many like it to hike prices by almost 50%.
Food businesses, big and small, are either on the verge of closing down or have already closed as the shortage of LPG cylinders has hit the commercial sector the hardest.
This has affected thousands of gig workers who are losing their jobs, according to a report by India Today, citing a trade union. It said the LPG crisis has reduced supply by 50-60% in several cities.
“It feels like a Covid lockdown,” a man waiting for dinner in Noida’s Sector 22 told India Today Digital. “At least we got food back then. Corona, lockdown, demonetisation, we seem to be the ones who keep seeing it all.”
Read also | Central government directs states, UTs to monitor LPG supply
“Attempts to Control the LPG Crisis”
Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said on Thursday that efforts are underway to bring the LPG crisis under control and avenues are being opened for India to secure additional supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most critical maritime hubs in the world. The narrow passage carries roughly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas and fertilizers.
The United Nations has warned of significant risks to global trade and development, including higher food prices and the cost of living, if the Strait of Hormuz is closed amid conflict in West Asia.
“The prime minister has spoken to all countries about how the Strait of Hormuz issue has affected lives and sought exemptions. I am not giving exact dates, but avenues are opening for us to get more LPG,” Gopi said.
PM Modi on LPG crisis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also urged people not to panic and assured that public interest will be protected. The prime minister expressed confidence in solving the LPG crisis, where the shortage of commercial LPG has crippled the hotel sector in the country.
“I would like to appeal to people, let’s spread only correct, verified information,” he said, apparently referring to the LPG crisis. According to him, the conflict affected the entire global energy supply chain.
