New Delhi

Priyanka Chaturvedi, MP from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), on Wednesday questioned the Centre’s claims of preparedness to deal with the ongoing West Asia energy crisis, citing reports of gas-based crematoriums shutting down in Pune due to fuel shortages.

Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi said the government had earlier assured Parliament that India had adequate energy reserves and would not face shortages.

She referred to statements made in Parliament by Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, that India had around 72 days’ worth of oil reserves and sufficient stocks of LPG and LNG.

Chaturvedi criticised the government’s handling of fuel pricing, saying that when global oil prices were low consumers did not benefit, but LPG cylinder prices were increased when prices rose.

“Industries dependent on gas are being affected. In Pune, the crematorium has been shut down. What preparations had you made?” she asked.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut, another leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), also criticised the government over reports of LPG shortages across the country amid the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Raut said restaurants and several industries were reportedly shutting down due to a shortage of LPG and fuel supplies.

He said the assurances given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior ministers that the crisis would not affect India had not been borne out by the ground situation.

Responding to concerns, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday assured that domestic consumers would not face any shortage of energy supplies despite the West Asia conflict.

In a post on X, he said the government had ensured 100 per cent supply of CNG and PNG for households, while industries were continuing to receive about 70–80 per cent of their requirements.

He also said India’s energy imports were continuing through alternative sources and routes.

Earlier, the Union government invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to safeguard the domestic energy market amid supply disruptions.

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According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the move establishes a priority system for natural gas distribution to manage supply constraints caused by disruptions in global energy routes, including shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.