India's cooking fuel system is under significant strain as ongoing conflict in West Asia continues to disrupt energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most critical maritime corridors. The country imports roughly 60 per cent of its liquefied petroleum gas requirement, and nearly 90 per cent of those imports transit the Strait before reaching Indian shores.

With LPG tanker traffic severely disrupted, the government has moved swiftly on multiple fronts — tightening cylinder booking rules, curbing commercial allocations, and accelerating a broader policy shift away from cylinders and towards piped natural gas.

LPG Rationing Already Underway

The pressure on LPG supply has translated directly into tighter rules for consumers. The minimum gap between LPG bookings has been extended from 21 days to 25 days as a demand-management measure. Rural consumers under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana now face a 45-day refill cycle. Commercial LPG allocations have been slashed to a fraction of normal volumes.

The government has also expanded the Delivery Authentication Code system to close to 90 per cent of consumers to check diversion at the distributor level. Officials have urged the public not to panic, stating that measures are being taken to maintain supply balance — but the rationing signals the depth of the supply stress.

Why PNG Is Holding Up

For the roughly 1.47 crore households connected to piped natural gas networks, the crisis has been largely invisible. Gas continues to flow through buried polyethylene pipelines at consistent pressure, powering kitchen stoves without interruption. The structural reason for this resilience lies in how PNG reaches homes.

Natural gas is shipped as liquefied natural gas, chilled to minus 162 degrees Celsius, transported by sea to India's regasification terminals, warmed back into gas, and then fed into the national trunk pipeline grid. The pipeline system itself holds gas under continuous pressure. When a supply disruption hits, PNG consumers are buffered by gas already stored in distribution networks and at import terminals — a buffer that LPG's cylinder-and-delivery model simply does not have.

LPG, by contrast, is a blend of propane and butane compressed into liquid form and shipped in specialised pressurised tankers. When the Strait closes or slows, the supply chain has no real cushion between the tanker terminal and the kitchen.

Government Orders the Switch

The Centre has used the crisis to push a structural shift it has long sought. Under the newly notified Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order, 2026, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, households in areas with existing PNG pipeline infrastructure have been given a 90-day window to switch from LPG to piped gas. Those who do not transition within this period may face discontinuation of their LPG supply.

Priority PNG connections are being mandated for residential schools, colleges, hostels, community kitchens, anganwadi kitchens, restaurants, hotels, and canteens. Domestic PNG and CNG transport sectors continue to receive 100 per cent supply allocation, while industrial and commercial users connected to the grid are being maintained at around 80 per cent of average consumption.

Critically, the government has also barred PNG-connected households from retaining LPG cylinders as backup — a move to prevent hoarding and ensure equitable cylinder distribution to those who have no pipeline alternative.

The Numbers Tell the Story

India has over 33 crore LPG connections — one of the largest such networks in the world. PNG connections, by comparison, stand at approximately 1.62 crore, concentrated almost entirely in urban areas. The gap is enormous, but the government estimates that around 60 lakh LPG consumers already live in areas where PNG pipelines exist, making them immediate candidates for migration.

City gas distribution companies — Indraprastha Gas Limited, Mahanagar Gas Limited, Gujarat Gas, GAIL Gas, and BPCL — have been directed to prioritise new PNG connections. Applications have picked up sharply in recent weeks, with urban adoption accelerating as the cylinder pinch bites.

PNG's Real Advantages

Beyond supply security, the case for PNG rests on several practical grounds. Gas flows continuously without the need to book, wait, or store a cylinder. Billing is metered, similar to electricity, so consumers pay only for what they use rather than for a full cylinder regardless of consumption.

On safety, natural gas is lighter than air and disperses upward if leaked, whereas LPG settles near the ground, raising fire risk in poorly ventilated kitchens. On cost, PNG typically works out 30 to 40 per cent cheaper for urban consumers once the multiple layers of bottling, transport, and dealer margin are stripped out of the supply chain.

The Limits of PNG's Resilience

However, PNG's insulation from the Hormuz crisis has never been absolute. India's natural gas import portfolio remains heavily dependent on Qatar, with long-term contracts concentrated at the Ras Laffan industrial complex. Attacks on Gulf gas infrastructure earlier in March threatened to extend the crisis from LPG to the piped gas network as well, exposing a structural irony: India's push to shift from one Gulf-dependent fuel to another may not represent the diversification it appears to be.

The government has acknowledged this, with the Ministry of Petroleum stating that efforts are underway to diversify sources — including LNG spot cargoes from the United States and a supply agreement with Norway's Equinor. Pipeline expansion targets 12.63 crore PNG connections by 2032, and LNG import capacity is planned to reach 66.7 million tonnes per year by 2030.

What Happens Next

The Hormuz crisis has compressed what was always a long-term energy transition into an immediate policy emergency. For urban households already in the coverage zone of a city gas distribution network, the choice is no longer optional — the switch to piped natural gas is now a government directive with a deadline.

For the hundreds of millions of rural consumers where pipelines do not yet reach, LPG cylinders remain the only practical option. Expanding PNG across India's dispersed geography will take years of infrastructure investment. Until then, the Strait of Hormuz will continue to hold a disproportionate say over what fuel burns in the average Indian kitchen — and at what cost.

The twelfth day of Chhattisgarh's budget session on Monday turned into one of its most turbulent yet, with the Opposition walking out of the House not once but twice — first over the government's evasive answers on illegal land plotting in Dhamtari and Kanker, and then in protest after their adjournment motion against the renaming of MGNREGA was rejected. Uproar, sloganeering, and a five-minute suspension of proceedings marked a day that laid bare the deepening hostility between the ruling BJP and the Congress benches.

Illegal Plotting: Vague Answers, Furious Opposition

The session opened with Congress MLA Ambika Markam directing pointed questions at Revenue Minister Tankram Verma about illegal land plotting in Dhamtari and Kanker districts. She asked how many complaints had been received between 2024 and January 31, 2026, how many survey numbers had been investigated, and what concrete action had been taken against the guilty.

Verma's response was thin. He told the House that three complaints had been received in Dhamtari and five in Kanker, that eight out of a total 175 survey numbers had been investigated, and that action was still in process. Three patwaris had had their salary increments stopped, and 67 individuals had been served notices.

Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was quick to expose the hollowness of these answers. He pointed out that this very question comes up every session, yet the government has never been able to clearly say how many illegal colonies have been built across the state, how many people have actually been prosecuted, or when the patwari action was taken. For twenty-five minutes, he noted, the minister had been unable to give a direct reply — answering questions about Dhamtari with Kanker's data and vice versa.

Even BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar pressed the minister, asking him to specify exactly when these colonies were built and when action would follow. Verma's response — that a timeline could not be given and that the revenue department itself was capable of investigating — only added to the frustration. Baghel accused the minister's own department of actively patronising illegal colonies rather than acting against them. The Opposition demanded an EOW investigation and, when that was rejected, walked out of the House in protest.

Nursery and Plantation Row: Question Itself Disputed

The session then moved to a question raised by Congress MLA Chaturi Nand about nursery and plantation work in the Jangalbeda village of Saraipali forest range in Mahasamund. Nand alleged that the original question put to the government had been altered before being taken up in the House — a serious procedural charge.

Baghel backed him up, calling it a grave matter and demanding action against the departmental officials responsible for the change. Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap responded that the question before him related to 2025, and he had answered accordingly. Nand flatly said his original question had nothing to do with 2025. The Speaker intervened to explain that because no specific time period had been mentioned in the original question, a period was fixed to make it answerable — without which the question could not have been admitted at all. The clarification did not fully satisfy the Opposition, but the matter was moved past.

'Ji Ram Ji' Row: Congress Brings Adjournment Motion, House Erupts

The most dramatic moments of the day came during Zero Hour, when Congress brought an adjournment motion opposing the central government's decision to rename MGNREGA — referred to in political shorthand as the 'Ji Ram Ji' controversy, in reference to the new name being proposed. Baghel moved the motion, called the original MGNREGA a far superior scheme in its original form, and demanded that the House admit the motion and hold a full discussion on the issue.

BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar hit back hard, declaring that the Assembly is not a platform for Opposition politics and not a stage for Congress to run its campaigns. He said the House belongs to the people and its time is too precious to be spent on political theatre. The exchange between both sides quickly escalated — sharp arguments turned to sloganeering, the noise level in the chamber rose sharply, and the Speaker was forced to suspend proceedings for five minutes to restore order.

When the adjournment motion was formally rejected, the Opposition refused to return. Leader of Opposition Dr Charandas Mahant declared that if the people's issues were being raised, then politics would be done — and the Congress benches walked out of the House for the second time in a single day, boycotting the remainder of the session's proceedings.

What It Signals

With just three sitting days remaining before the budget session concludes on March 20, the government faces the task of passing the Appropriation Bill and other pending legislation through a House where the Opposition has now made clear it will disrupt, walk out, and refuse to cooperate at every opportunity. The back-to-back walkouts on Day 12 are not just procedural protests — they are a signal that the Congress intends to carry the energy from the street protests of the morning's assembly gherao straight into the legislative chamber, keeping maximum pressure on the Vishnu Deo Sai government through every available platform until the session's final gavel.

LPG Crisis Sparks Uproar in Rajya Sabha: Kharge Questions Government Preparedness, TMC Walks Out

The ongoing LPG crisis in Parliament triggered sharp exchanges in the Rajya Sabha on Monday as opposition leaders accused the government of failing to anticipate supply disruptions. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the Centre’s preparedness, saying the government should have acted earlier to prevent the current situation.

While the Rajya Sabha witnessed heated protests over the LPG shortage in India, the Lok Sabha managed to complete its Question Hour without disruption for the first time since the second phase of the Budget Session 2026 began on March 9.

Opposition Targets Government Over LPG Shortage

Raising the issue in the Upper House, Kharge said the government’s claim that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders does not match the ground reality.

He argued that authorities were already aware of potential disruptions due to tensions in West Asia but failed to take preventive steps.

According to Kharge, timely policy decisions and supply planning could have prevented the worsening of the LPG crisis in Parliament discussions and across the country.

Several opposition MPs echoed similar concerns, highlighting the impact of rising LPG prices and supply uncertainty on middle-class families, small restaurants, and commercial establishments.

Government Accuses Opposition of Politicising Crisis

Responding to the criticism, Union Health Minister JP Nadda accused the opposition of trying to politicise a situation that was triggered by global developments.

He said the crisis was not created by India and urged political parties to act responsibly during difficult times.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also criticised opposition members for raising slogans instead of listening to the government’s response in the House.

Outside Parliament, Union Minister Suresh Gopi said the government is exploring alternative options to manage supplies and stabilise the situation.

TMC Walkout Adds to Rajya Sabha Tensions

Adding another dimension to the day’s political drama, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha.

The party protested the Election Commission of India’s decision to remove several senior officials in West Bengal soon after announcing the state assembly election schedule.

TMC MP Derek O’Brien said the party acknowledged the Election Commission’s authority but chose to walk out as a mark of protest against the timing of the administrative reshuffle.

Lok Sabha Proceedings Continue Smoothly

In contrast to the disruptions in the Upper House, proceedings in the Lok Sabha remained largely orderly.

Speaker Om Birla rejected opposition demands to raise urgent issues immediately after the House assembled, stating that members would get an opportunity to speak after Question Hour.

During the session, key ministers including Nirmala Sitharaman, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat responded to questions from MPs.

Finance Minister Sitharaman also announced that four special Lok Adalat sessions will be held in 2026 to clear pending cases in the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) and the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT).

Why the LPG Issue Matters Right Now

The debate over the LPG crisis in Parliament comes at a time when global energy markets remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route for India’s oil and gas imports.

Experts say disruptions in the region could affect:

 LPG supply chains

 Fuel prices in India

 Household energy affordability

Energy analysts believe the situation highlights the need for stronger energy security planning, diversified supply sources, and strategic reserves to protect domestic markets from global shocks.

Monday’s proceedings underscored how the LPG shortage in India has become a major political and economic issue during the Budget Session 2026. While the government maintains that steps are being taken to manage the situation, the opposition continues to demand clearer answers and stronger policy action.

With global energy uncertainties continuing, the debate over India’s preparedness for supply disruptions is likely to remain a key issue in Parliament in the coming days.

Today's parliamentary session was one of the most action-packed days of the Budget Session 2026 — with major financial business, charged political confrontations, a crucial election, and a deepening LPG crisis all colliding inside the walls of Parliament at the same time.

Appropriation Bill 2026 Moves in Rajya Sabha — The Key Financial Business of the Day

The most significant legislative development of the day came when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman formally moved the Appropriation Bill 2026 in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill authorises the payment and appropriation of further sums from the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2025–26, and its passage in the Upper House marks a critical step in completing India's budget cycle.

The Appropriation Bill had already been moved in the Lok Sabha on March 13, alongside the Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025–26. Today's Rajya Sabha proceedings brought it one step closer to becoming law.

In the Lok Sabha, discussions and voting on the Demands for Grants under the Ministry of Railways for the financial year 2026–27 were taken up today — with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and his ministry under scrutiny over infrastructure allocations, train safety, and the pace of modernisation projects.

Railways and Agriculture Grants: What Parliament Approved

Today's voting on Railway Demands for Grants 2026–27 took centre stage in the Lok Sabha. Railways received one of the largest allocations in this year's Union Budget — a figure that reflects the government's continued push to expand freight corridors, modernise stations, and accelerate the Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat train networks.

The Agriculture Ministry Demands for Grants were also slated for discussion — a politically sensitive allocation given that farmer distress, MSP guarantees, and rural income have remained flashpoints throughout this entire budget session.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also made a statement on the floor outlining the government's legislative agenda for the week beginning March 16, signalling more heavy-duty parliamentary business ahead before the session closes on April 2.

Rajya Sabha Elections 2026: BJP-NDA Plays Strategy in Bihar, Haryana and Odisha

Off the floor but all over Parliament's corridors today was the Rajya Sabha by-election drama. Polling was held today for Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, Haryana, and Odisha — and the BJP-led NDA made a calculated move by backing independent candidates linked to the saffron party, including RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, to maximise its seat count in the Upper House.

The opposition INDIA bloc pushed back hard, fielding its own candidates and attempting to consolidate its strength in the Rajya Sabha ahead of what promises to be a combative second half of the Budget Session. Results are expected later today.

LPG Crisis: Opposition Turns Up the Heat

If there is one issue dominating the political atmosphere outside the formal budget business, it is the LPG shortage. Opposition MPs across the INDIA bloc, led by Rahul Gandhi, have submitted notices in both Houses demanding an urgent discussion on nationwide reports of LPG cylinder shortages and price pressures linked directly to the escalating West Asia war.

The opposition's argument is blunt: common Indian households — particularly in smaller cities and rural India — are struggling to get cooking gas cylinders, and the government must answer for it in Parliament, not deflect with procedural objections.

The government has pushed back sharply. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was involved in direct exchanges with MPs over grant discussions, stating that crude oil supplies remain secure. The government insists the shortage reports are exaggerated and that supply chains are intact. The Opposition remains unconvinced — and is likely to intensify this campaign on the floor of both Houses in the coming days.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar Removal Notice: A Constitutional Confrontation

Adding another layer of political tension to today's session, the INDIA bloc had already filed notices in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on March 13 seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar — with 180 opposition MPs reportedly signing the notice, comprising 120 Lok Sabha members and 60 Rajya Sabha members.

The Trinamool Congress has been at the forefront of this move, alleging misuse of constitutional authority and questioning the independence of the Election Commission. The BJP and NDA have dismissed the move as political theatre. Speaker Om Birla's handling of these notices — and whether they will be admitted for debate — is being watched closely as a test of parliamentary procedure.

This confrontation follows directly on the heels of the failed Opposition resolution last week seeking the removal of Om Birla as Lok Sabha Speaker, which was defeated by a voice vote. That defeat has not dampened the INDIA bloc's appetite for constitutional confrontation — if anything, it has sharpened it.

Private Members' Bills: A Packed Agenda With Significant Proposals

Later in the day, the Lok Sabha was scheduled to take up Private Members' Business — and the list of proposed Bills makes for significant reading. MPs were expected to introduce legislative proposals on a wide range of issues including a guaranteed minimum support price for farmers, prevention of mob lynching, welfare of fishermen, regulation of tour operators, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, and reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the private sector.

These are not government bills and most will not progress to become law in this session. But they serve as important signals of what is on the minds of Members of Parliament — and what the public wants debated at the national level.

What Is Left Before April 2: The Road Ahead

The Budget Session 2026 runs until April 2 and includes 30 sittings spread across 65 days. The second phase, which resumed on March 9 after a recess, has already produced enormous political drama — the Om Birla no-confidence vote, the CEC removal notices, and the LPG crisis confrontation — alongside significant financial legislation.

What remains on the agenda includes the Finance Bill 2026 — the most consequential piece of legislation of the session, which formally implements the budget tax proposals — along with departmental Demands for Grants across all major ministries and further legislative business that the government has outlined for the coming weeks.

If today's intensity is any guide, the final two weeks of the Budget Session promise to be some of the most turbulent — and consequential — days in India's parliamentary calendar this year.

₹918 to ₹4,000: How MP's Own Gas Agencies Became Its Biggest Black Market

The Iran-US war choked India's LPG supply. The government invoked the Essential Commodities Act. Refineries were ordered to run at full capacity. And then, quietly, in neighbourhoods across Madhya Pradesh, gas agency owners and their own employees started pocketing the crisis — selling cylinders meant for ordinary households at prices four times the official rate.

A domestic LPG cylinder that costs ₹918.50 in Bhopal as of March 11, 2026. The same cylinder, sourced through a gas agency's back door, is reportedly being sold across MP for anywhere between ₹2,000 and ₹4,000 depending on desperation and location. The profiteering is not being carried out by shadowy middlemen alone — it is happening inside the very agencies entrusted to distribute subsidised cylinders to the public.

Inside the Racket: How It Works

The mechanics of the scam are brazen in their simplicity. Cylinders costing ₹910 are being sold in the black market for ₹2,000, with customers forced to pay up because cylinders are simply unavailable at agencies even after waiting ten days through official channels. Windward

In MP specifically, the Bhaskar report reveals that gas agency owners and their employees — the very people responsible for distributing cylinders fairly — are diverting stock before it reaches legitimate customers and selling it at inflated rates. Gas agency staff confirmed they are getting desperate calls from buyers and that panic has gripped smaller establishments who are now going to the black market because no commercial cylinders are available through official booking channels. Zee News

The 25-day rule introduced by the government to prevent hoarding has paradoxically fuelled the black market. The policy change requiring customers to book their next cylinder only after 25 days from the previous delivery has made things worse, as dealers have kept large numbers of cylinders in stock and are selling them secretly at higher rates instead of supplying through proper booking. Wikipedia

The Numbers That Tell the Full Story

The price data from Madhya Pradesh right now is stark:

As of March 11, 2026, the official domestic LPG price in Bhopal stands at ₹918.50 for a 14.2 kg cylinder — up ₹60 from last month's ₹858.50. The commercial 19 kg cylinder now costs ₹1,889 in Bhopal, a jump of ₹144 from February's ₹1,745. NPR

Yet on the street, those official prices are a fantasy for anyone who cannot wait. Commercial cylinders are being sold for as high as ₹4,500 in some markets, and buyers are paying because there is no other choice — booking has effectively stopped for commercial cylinders in many districts. Zee News

For a mid-sized restaurant or hotel in Bhopal using 50 cylinders a month, the difference between official and black market pricing translates to an additional outlay of over ₹1 lakh per month — a figure that is forcing mass closures across the hospitality sector.

Government Strikes Back: ESMA, FIRs and Raids

The state and central governments have not been silent. The Essential Commodities Act (ESMA) — a powerful law that makes hoarding and black marketing of essential goods a criminal offence — has been formally invoked nationally. In Madhya Pradesh, district administrations have launched targeted crackdowns.

The government has confirmed that LPG production has been increased by 10%, imports from non-Strait of Hormuz routes have been raised to 70% from 55%, and all refineries are currently operating at full capacity. Windward On the enforcement side, FIRs are being registered against agency owners and employees caught diverting stock, with raids being conducted across MP's urban centres.

The punishment under ESMA is severe — imprisonment of up to seven years and heavy fines. Whether that deterrent is working on the ground is another question entirely, given how widespread the black market has become in just two weeks.

Who Is Getting Hurt the Most

The human cost of this profiteering is not abstract. It lands hardest on those who can least afford it.

The crisis is hitting households directly — a ₹60 hike in domestic cylinder prices adds 7% to monthly fuel bills, and families refilling twice monthly are paying ₹120 more. Annualised, that is ₹1,440 drained from grocery budgets per household. Al Jazeera

But for families forced into the black market — who cannot access cylinders through official channels — the real monthly bill is not ₹918. It is ₹2,000 or more. That is money taken directly out of food budgets, school fees, and medical expenses. Outside gas agencies, long queues have formed with consumers alleging that online and phone bookings are not working, and that agency staff are uncooperative — sending many desperate customers towards black market suppliers. NBC News

What You Can Do Right Now

If you are a resident of Bhopal or anywhere in MP facing black market pressure on LPG cylinders, here is what you should know:

• Do not pay black market prices — report the agency or supplier immediately to your district's food and civil supplies office or on the national consumer helpline 1800-11-4000
• File a complaint online at consumerhelpline.gov.in — ESMA complaints are being fast-tracked
• Document everything — photograph the agency name, the seller, and any payment receipt if you are forced to buy at inflated prices
• Use induction cooking as a short-term bridge while official supply stabilises
• Check your booking status on the official app (Indane/HP Gas/Bharat Gas) before visiting agencies in person

The Bottom Line

The Iran-US war created India's LPG supply crisis. But the black market profiteering happening inside MP's gas agencies is a homegrown crisis — one built on greed, poor enforcement, and the exploitation of ordinary people at their most vulnerable.

Prime Minister Modi has publicly said the common man should not be impacted because of the US-Israel-Iran war. Windward That is a worthy commitment. But when a gas agency employee in Bhopal is selling your subsidised ₹918 cylinder for ₹4,000 out of the back door, the war is the least of your problems.

The government has the law, the enforcement machinery, and the public mandate to act hard and fast. The question is whether the crackdown moves faster than the profiteers.

No-Confidence Motion Against Om Birla: Rahul Gandhi Says PM Modi Compromised, Ravi Shankar Prasad Strongly Denies

The Lok Sabha turned into a battlefield on the third day of Parliament’s Budget Session as the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla sparked fiery exchanges. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi directly accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “compromised”, while senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad firmly rejected the charge.

Speaking during the debate, Rahul Gandhi said, “Whenever we try to speak, we are interrupted. This discussion is about democracy and the role of the Speaker… The last time I spoke, I raised the issue of compromises on the part of the Prime Minister.” He added that this was the first time the Leader of Opposition was not allowed to speak freely in the House. “The Prime Minister is compromised,” he repeated.

Moments after Rahul Gandhi finished, Ravi Shankar Prasad rose and hit back sharply. “Never… never. PM Modi’s India will never be compromised,” he declared. He reminded the House that despite repeated disruptions, Speaker Om Birla has remained calm and smiling. “They lack basic understanding,” Prasad said, criticising the opposition for surrounding the Speaker and throwing papers.

Heated Clashes and Personal Attacks

The debate saw multiple BJP MPs join the attack. Anurag Thakur accused Rahul Gandhi of siding with the “Tukde Tukde gang” and having “FOMO for headlines”. He said the House will run by the rulebook, not anyone’s “personal toolkit”. Nishikant Dubey rejected any “certificate” from the opposition, while Kiren Rijiju warned that CCTV footage of opposition MPs entering the Speaker’s chamber on February 11 could be released if needed.

Congress leaders, including KC Venugopal, hit back by questioning why Prime Minister Modi was absent from the House. “Where is our PM? Why is he not here to speak on the Speaker’s no-confidence motion?” Venugopal asked. He also alleged microphones were being switched off when opposition leaders stood to speak.

Opposition Links Debate to LPG Shortage Crisis

The no-confidence motion against Om Birla debate ran parallel to loud protests over the LPG shortage. Opposition MPs created uproar during Question Hour, forcing multiple adjournments. Congress and TMC leaders blamed the government for failing to handle the impact of the West Asia conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. They pointed out that commercial LPG cylinders are now unavailable in many places, with prices up ₹60 for commercial and ₹115 for domestic cylinders.

CPI(M) MP Amra Ram said the country is not functioning as effectively as before. Priyanka Chaturvedi and K.C. Venugopal highlighted how hotels, restaurants and even crematoriums in Pune are shutting down due to the gas crisis. Several MPs demanded immediate discussion and long-term planning from the Centre.

Motion Unlikely to Succeed

As per Article 94 of the Constitution, removing the Speaker needs a simple majority. With the NDA holding over 290 seats, the motion is widely expected to fail. The Speaker will not preside during the debate but can speak and vote as a regular MP.

The House witnessed repeated sloganeering and walkouts, yet proceedings continued after brief adjournments. Live updates from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha show the government defending its position while the opposition keeps the pressure on issues of democracy and daily hardships like rising LPG prices.

This intense session reflects the growing tension between the ruling alliance and the opposition ahead of key legislative business. Readers can follow Bhaskar English for minute-by-minute Parliament updates as the debate continues.

When a war breaks out thousands of kilometres away in West Asia, the last thing a hotel owner in Bhopal expects is to shut his kitchen. But that is exactly what is happening right now.

The commercial gas cylinder supply crisis triggered by the ongoing US-Iran-Israel conflict has landed squarely in the kitchens of Madhya Pradesh. Hotels, restaurants, dhabas, and marriage garden owners across Bhopal and the state are staring at empty gas racks — with no immediate relief in sight.

What Exactly Happened?

Commercial LPG cylinder distribution has been temporarily stopped in Bhopal, with exemptions only for hospitals and educational institutions. New Kerala The decision is directly linked to the escalating geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted global energy supply chains.

National Vice President of the LPG Association, R.K. Gupta, confirmed that commercial cylinders have not been issued since March 9, and stated: "The next booking for LPG cylinders will be allowed only after the 25th day from the date of previous delivery." ANI News

What this means in plain language: restaurants and wedding venues that used to reorder gas every 21 days are now forced to wait 25 days — and many ran out before the new rule even came into effect.

Wedding Season Hit at the Worst Time

March is peak wedding and events season in India. Caterers managing large outdoor functions, marriage gardens feeding hundreds of guests, and hotel banquets hosting corporate gatherings are all scrambling for alternatives. Many are reportedly considering switching to electric stoves, firewood, or kerosene — options that are neither cost-effective nor efficient at scale.

This is not just an inconvenience. For small caterers and event businesses, losing even one booking in wedding season can mean a month's income gone.

The Nationwide Picture Is Even Worse

Bhopal's crisis is not isolated. An LPG cylinder shortage is disrupting hotels and restaurants in cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Meanwhile, the government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to stabilise natural gas availability. India TV News

According to the Hotel Owners Association of Mumbai (AAHAR), approximately 8,000 hotels in the city are affected by the crisis. India TV News Black marketing has also reportedly emerged, with cylinders costing ₹910 being sold for as much as ₹2,000 in grey markets. India TV News

What Is the Government Doing?

The government has formed a three-member committee to address grievances and prioritise domestic LPG supply. ANI News Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the situation.

Reassuringly, government sources said India has increased its import of gas from non-Strait of Hormuz sources to 70 per cent from 55 per cent earlier, all refineries are working at 100 per cent capacity, and LPG production has been increased by 10 per cent. India TV News Officials also say India has stocks for at least 12 to 16 weeks. India TV News

However, the ground reality and official statements remain miles apart. Distributors say cylinders aren't available; oil companies say there's no shortage. Meanwhile, hotel owners are the ones caught in the middle.

Opinion: A Global War Should Not Empty India's Kitchen

The commercial gas cylinder supply crisis exposes a vulnerability India can no longer afford to ignore — our overdependence on Middle East energy imports for even basic day-to-day commerce.

Yes, the government's response has been reasonably swift. Invoking the Essential Commodities Act, boosting refinery output, and diversifying import sources are the right moves. But the disruption to small businesses — the dhabawala, the wedding caterer, the neighbourhood restaurant — reveals how thin the buffer is between global geopolitics and a common person's livelihood.

On March 7, the price of domestic LPG cylinders was already increased by ₹60 per cylinder, the second hike in less than a year. Business Today Businesses and consumers are now absorbing both price shocks and supply shocks simultaneously.

What Should You Do Right Now?

If you run a food business or event venue in MP:

• Contact your LPG distributor immediately to place your next booking and document the date
• Explore temporary alternatives like induction cooktops for smaller operations
• Reach out to your local trade association — collective pressure gets faster government response
• Avoid panic buying — it worsens the shortage for everyone

Bottom Line

The war in West Asia may feel distant. But its impact on Bhopal's hotel industry, marriage gardens, and restaurant owners is very real — and very immediate. The crisis has triggered localised shortages in states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, where restaurant associations have warned of potential closures. ANI News

Until supply normalises, India's food service industry — worth lakhs of crores — is running on borrowed time. The government has the tools to fix this. The question is whether it acts fast enough before the wedding buffets go cold.