Chennai

M K Stalin on Tuesday said he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Union government to ensure the safety of Tamils living in Gulf countries and address concerns over LPG cylinder supply amid the escalating conflict in West Asia.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said he had also sought steps to safeguard the welfare of Tamil Nadu fishermen stranded in the region as tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States continue to escalate and spread across Gulf countries.

“I have written to the Hon’ble PM urging the Union government to ensure the safety of Tamils living across the affected Gulf countries and to safeguard the welfare of Tamil Nadu fishermen currently stranded in the region,” Stalin said in a post on X.

He added that the Centre should ensure the LPG cylinder shortage arising from the conflict does not affect the public, commercial establishments or MSME industries in the state. Stalin also urged the government to arrange alternative fuel supplies for restaurants facing shortages of commercial LPG cylinders and to ensure adequate power supply.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Hotels Association has appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders used by the hospitality sector.

In a letter to Modi and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the association’s president M Ravi said the supply of commercial LPG cylinders should be included in the essential supplies list as the city is facing shortages.

The association warned that industries such as IT, colleges, tourism and events like weddings and conferences could be affected if the supply disruption continues.

Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, MP of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, also raised concerns about the reported halt in commercial LPG distribution in parts of South India, including Tamil Nadu.

In a post on X, she said the development had triggered public anxiety, adding that reports of a possible petrol shortage had further heightened concerns. She urged the Union government to act quickly to prevent disruptions that could impact livelihoods and the broader economy.

Meanwhile, R K Gupta, National Vice President of the LPG Association of India, said there is no shortage of domestic LPG supply.

“According to oil companies, there is no shortage in supply. Commercial LPG cylinders have not been issued since yesterday, but exemptions have been given to hospitals and educational institutions,” he said.

The Union government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate the supply, availability and distribution of petroleum products and natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), to ensure priority supply for critical sectors.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has also directed refineries to increase LPG production and prioritise domestic supply, while a committee of executive directors from oil marketing companies will review requests from commercial users such as restaurants and hotels.

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India depends heavily on imports of liquefied natural gas, a significant portion of which comes from suppliers in West Asia.