The principal Opposition AIADMK and its ally PMK on Tuesday urged the Tamil Nadu government to take urgent steps to address the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, warning that continued disruption could lead to the closure of hotels, restaurants and tea stalls across the state.
In a statement, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) appealed to the Union government to ensure uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders across the country. He said any disruption in supply would severely affect restaurant owners, small food businesses and ordinary households in Tamil Nadu.
Palaniswami said the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and several Gulf nations has created complications in the transportation of petroleum products to India. In this context, reports that Indian Oil Corporation has temporarily halted distribution of LPG cylinders for commercial and industrial use and advised consumers to switch to alternative fuels have caused concern.
He pointed out that several districts in Tamil Nadu were already facing LPG shortages even before this development, creating hardship for restaurants and small eateries that depend on cylinders for their daily operations.
āIf the supply of LPG cylinders is disrupted further, it will severely affect thousands of small food establishments and ultimately burden the common people,ā he said, urging the Union government and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to take immediate steps to ensure adequate and timely availability of LPG cylinders.
The AIADMK leader also called on the state government to support restaurants and food establishments by facilitating alternative fuel arrangements and providing concessions so that their operations are not affected.
He further stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted functioning of Amma Canteens, which provide subsidised food to the poor and working class. āAmma Canteens offer affordable meals to lakhs of people, including idly for Re 1, pongal for Rs 5, variety rice for Rs 10 and three chapathis with dhal for Rs 10. The government must ensure these services continue without disruption,ā he said.
Palaniswami also urged both the Union and state governments to coordinate closely to stabilise the supply situation and avoid creating panic among the public.
Meanwhile, PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss also raised concerns over the shortage, stating that the supply of commercial cooking gas cylinders had reportedly been stopped in several parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai.
He warned that if the situation continued, restaurants ranging from small tea shops to star hotels could be forced to shut down. He said such closures would affect a large supply chain, including farmers who supply raw materials, restaurant workers and employees of food delivery services such as Zomato and Swiggy.
Anbumani noted that closure of restaurants would also impact daily wage workers and people who depend on affordable meals outside their homes. He cautioned that even the state-run Amma Canteens, which provide subsidised food to the poor, labourers and migrant workers, could be affected.
āIf the supply of commercial cooking gas cylinders is stopped, the consequences will be far worse than we can imagine,ā he said, adding that the state government must take immediate steps to prevent such a situation.
He urged Chief Minister M. K. Stalin to hold talks with the Central government in Delhi to secure commercial LPG supply for Tamil Nadu and explore options to procure cylinders through private companies.
Anbumani also pointed out that the DMK had promised during the 2021 Assembly elections to provide a subsidy of Rs 100 on domestic LPG cylinders but had not yet implemented it. With domestic LPG prices recently increased by Rs 60, he said the state government should fulfill its election promise and provide the subsidy to reduce the burden on people.