Addressing the Lok Sabha on Monday, March 23, during the second part of the budget session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed Parliament that 60 percent of India’s LPG is imported, adding that the government is prioritizing domestic use and increasing production amid supply disruptions caused by conflict in West Asia.
PM Modi also described the prevailing situation in West Asia as “alarming” as it has a very adverse impact on the global economy and people’s livelihood, he said.
He said the Union government is focused on ensuring that the public does not face any hardship due to shortage of LPG due to the conflict in the Middle East region and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, PTI reported.
Indicating that the government is taking necessary steps to ease the impact on households dependent on LPG for cooking, PM Modi said, “60 percent of LPG imported into India; government is prioritizing domestic use, increasing production. Our aim was to ensure that the public faces the least hardship.”
“Since the beginning of the war, the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has become very difficult. Despite this, our government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel and gas is not seriously affected. Efforts are also being made continuously to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel throughout the country remains smooth,” he said.
“The current situation in West Asia is alarming. This crisis has been going on for more than three weeks and is having a very adverse impact on the global economy and people’s lives. The whole world is urging all parties to resolve this crisis as soon as possible,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also said that the security of Indians is the highest priority of the government in times of conflict and the center is sensitive, alert and also ready to provide every assistance.
Addressing the impact of the conflict on Indian farmers and agriculture, the Prime Minister said, “The main question is – what will be the impact of the war on agriculture? The farmers of our country have filled our grain stores. India therefore has sufficient food supplies. It is also our endeavor that sowing for the Kharif season is done properly. The government has made adequate arrangements for fertilizers to deal with such situations, our government has not allowed farmers to deal with such situations.”
