Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 15: All India Congress Committee, general secretary, Ghulam Ahmad Mir today said that the Government must look for alternative arrangements to ensure gas supply as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify.
Speaking to reporters in Anantnag Mir said both the Central and Local Governments were claiming that the situation was under control, but warned that the war in areas from where India gets much of its gas was worsening day by day.
“The Government is still saying, whether it is the Central Government or the local Government, that all is well. But the areas from where most of our gas comes are affected by the war, and the conflict is increasing day by day,” he said.
He said repeated assurances from the Government would not be enough in such a situation and urged authorities to explore alternative supply routes and arrangements. “Giving assurances will remain only assurances. Ultimately, the Government should look for alternatives,” he said.
Mir said the Indian National Congress had already raised the issue, adding that party leader Rahul Gandhi had warned that the situation could not be addressed through “cover-ups”.
Drawing a comparison with the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mir said authorities had initially downplayed the situation before it turned into a major crisis. “Like during Covid, people were told nothing would happen, but thousands of people lost their lives. In the same way, the current conflict is affecting gas supply routes,” he said.
He added that the disruption had created uncertainty and panic among people, with many consumers unable to get gas cylinders even after paying for them. “Earlier we were talking about providing free gas, but now people are not getting gas even after paying money,” Mir said.
He urged the Central Government to take “solid and firm measures” and make alternative arrangements to address the situation and ensure that people do not face further hardship.
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