People wait in a long queue to fill their LPG cylinders outside a gas agency in Ahmedabad on March 12. Photo credit: ANI
The Gujarat government on Friday (March 13, 2026) dismissed opposition claims of shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other cooking gas due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, telling the assembly that the state currently has a stock of more than four thousand cylinders.
LPG and Oil Crisis Update 13 March 2026
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ramanbhai Solanki informed the House that sufficient LPG stocks are available and the state government is closely monitoring the situation keeping in view the developments in the region.
“As of today, we have 4,16,504 LPG cylinders in stock,” Mr. Solanki said, adding that Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has 1,66,128 cylinders, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has 1,50,009 and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (367.0CL)
He assured members that the government is ensuring uninterrupted supply to households as well as institutions and hospitals.
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The issue was raised by senior Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar, who expressed concern over the availability of LPG, piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) in Gujarat amid the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.
Mr Parmar said reports of long queues outside gas agencies had created anxiety among citizens. “Due to the Gulf War, there has been a situation regarding gas cylinders, whether LPG, PNG or CNG. Thousands of people are queuing outside gas agencies and other places,” he said.
Spokesman Shankar Chaudhary noted that matters related to gas supply fall under the jurisdiction of the Union government. However, Mr Parmar insisted that issues related to gas agencies and supply issues affecting the public could still be discussed in the House.
Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia objected to the remarks, saying that incorrect statements could create unnecessary panic among people. He said a meeting was recently held with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in this regard.
“Just yesterday we sat with the Chief Minister and the MLA from Tankara in Morbi district. The Chief Minister made it clear that there is absolutely no shortage of gas for industry in Morbi at present,” Mr Modhwadia said, referring to the region’s ceramic manufacturing hub.
He warned that speculation about shortages could lead to panic buying and queues outside gas agencies. “A war-like situation can affect trade and business, but once there is talk of a shortage, queues start forming outside gas agencies from the next day,” he said.
Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rushikesh Patel also pointed out that LPG supply primarily falls under the purview of the Centre. Noting that the cylinders are being supplied by four public petroleum companies, he said statements made in the assembly could affect public perception across the state.
Mr. Solanki later reiterated that there had been no official complaints regarding the shortage. “Practically speaking, apart from what you see in the news, there are no real complaints anywhere,” he said.
Earlier in the day, around a dozen Congress MLAs staged a protest on the steps of the Assembly complex, demanding subsidized LPG cylinders for do-it-yourselfers at ₹450.
Lawmakers, including Amit Chavda and Tushar Chaudhary, gathered, holding LPG cylinders and placards while raising slogans. Congress officials said the purpose of the protest was to highlight the issue during the assembly session and press their demand for cheaper cooking gas for households in Gujarat.
Published – 13 March 2026 19:59 IST
