The public response to ‘shortage’ of LPG cylinders was predictable. Everybody tried to ‘stock up’ in case the crisis became worse. That led to the shutdown of booking over the phone as numbers became unmanageable, thereby returning to the by now outdated offline booking practice. Crowds have been witnessed at gas agencies and godowns, putting further pressure on the dealers. This chaotic response has caused those who require daily or quick delivery of cylinders such as restaurants and street food vendors to cut down on the menu or even close down. As reported by media, this has led to loss of business for hundreds of thousands of people.
So, is there actually shortage of LPG? The government says there isn’t and has taken various measures to restore the supply chain. Of course, parties in the opposition have eagerly latched on to the issue and are doing everything possible to spread further panic, thereby putting greater pressure on the agencies concerned. People who have other options available have already made the shift. The well to do have begun cooking on electric induction stoves, giving a boost to that market. Such has been the rush that these are no longer available online. People in the villages can resort to cooking on wood. As such, it is the urban lower and middle classes that are facing the pinch. While it is the job of the Union Government to ensure that LPG remains available, state governments need to adopt measures that make delivery of cylinders easier and quicker. Other kinds of relief can be adopted like Tamil Nadu’s decision to provide subsidy on electricity bills for those cooking on induction stoves.
There are no reports, as yet, of an improvement in the situation in Uttarakhand. People are expected to book cylinders at the dealers’ offices and receive delivery at home. Even as people crowd the offices, have any arrangements been made for the elderly or those otherwise unable to physically make the bookings? What arrangements have been made in the hills?
Meanwhile, all this is being done in the expectation that the supply will remain uninterrupted in the coming days. This requires not just diplomatic agility by the Indian Government but also an improvement in the West Asia situation, which is not entirely in our hands. It is not just LPG alone, but other necessary oil-related products are required such as urea for fertilisers. Although every country the size of India tries to become self-reliant regarding essential items, in the world of today that remains a tall order. A more disciplined society can, however, make a difference.
