BJP seeks action against LPG agencies for creating artificial shortage in Andhra Pradesh

Bharatiya Janata Party Andhra Pradesh president P. V. N. Madhav has urged the State government to take strict action against gas agencies allegedly creating an artificial shortage of LPG cylinders. He also appealed to the public not to panic over the supply situation, assuring that the Centre is taking steps to ensure adequate availability.

In a statement on Friday, Mr. Madhav said the Union government was exploring all possible alternatives to prevent any shortage of cooking gas.

The BJP leader said he had spoken to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over the phone to discuss the current situation.

According to Mr. Madhav, the Union Minister assured him that the Centre was taking all necessary measures to maintain uninterrupted gas supply. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also closely reviewing the situation.

Mr. Madhav noted that global fuel supplies had been affected to some extent due to tensions between Iran and Israel. However, he alleged that some gas agencies in the State were using the situation as an excuse to create artificial scarcity and impose additional charges on consumers.

He said complaints had been received from several parts of the State that deliveries of gas cylinders were being deliberately delayed, with agencies claiming shortage despite having sufficient stock and charging extra fees. Such practices, he said, were causing hardship to common people.

Mr. Madhav called upon the State authorities and the concerned supply department to conduct inspections and take strict action against agencies found violating rules. He also advised hotel owners not to increase prices in the current situation and urged the authorities to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply without burdening consumers.