No Gas Shortage: Govt Appeals Against Rumours as Oppn Targets BJP

The Union government on March 12, 2026, firmly denied any shortage of cooking gas across the country and appealed to citizens not to panic or believe circulating rumours that have triggered anxiety in several states. A senior Petroleum Ministry spokesperson clarified that domestic LPG supplies remain adequate for household needs, with refineries operating at full capacity and emergency measures already in place to ensure uninterrupted distribution.

The statement comes amid widespread social media reports and complaints from restaurant owners and autorickshaw drivers about erratic commercial and Auto LPG availability, particularly in urban centres such as Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai. Officials attributed the rumours to temporary logistical disruptions caused by global supply chain pressures linked to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, stressing that these have not affected household cylinders. The government urged people to avoid panic buying, saying such behaviour could artificially strain stocks at distribution points.

Opposition parties, led by the Congress and regional outfits, sharply criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, accusing it of mismanagement and downplaying the crisis to protect its image. Leaders claimed the denial was an attempt to deflect responsibility for failing to anticipate the impact of international energy volatility on India’s import-dependent fuel sector. Several opposition spokespersons demanded an immediate parliamentary discussion and accused the government of prioritising political optics over public hardship.

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The backlash intensified after recent reports of restaurants scaling down operations and nearly 20,000 autorickshaws staying off Chennai roads due to empty Auto LPG stations. Industry associations had earlier warned of possible closures if commercial supplies were not restored quickly, prompting the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to monitor the situation.

Petroleum Ministry sources said refineries had been directed to increase production and explore alternative import routes, while household refills continued normally through public distribution networks. The government reiterated that domestic priority under the Essential Commodities Act remained intact and that any localised bottlenecks were being addressed through coordinated logistics.

As the new financial year begins, the exchange between the government and opposition has once again brought fuel security into the political spotlight, with both sides calling for calm even as citizens in affected cities await clearer resolution on commercial supplies. Authorities continue to monitor distribution points round-the-clock to prevent any genuine scarcity from emerging.

Also Read: Bhopal LPG Crisis: Black-Market Ring Exposed as Residents Queue for Hours in Heat