India Does Not Have LPG Problem, It Has LOP Problem: Pralhad Joshi To NDTV

Congress's Rahul Gandhi does not know about the LPG situation and is just "trying to create panic," Union minister Pralhad Joshi said at NDTV's India Sustainability Mission 2.0 today. "India does not have LPG problem, India has LoP problem," said Joshi, in a jibe at Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Questioning why Gandhi did not attend the all-party meeting held today, he said, "Earlier, they were saying, 'call an all-party meeting'. When the meeting is called, he doesn't attend it". He pointed out that despite the global energy crisis following blockade of Hormuz Strait by Iran as a retaliation to the US and Israel strikes, India has managed to find alternative sources of oil and gas and kept up the supply.

"If you look at our neighbours, they are having major issues. In India not even a single petrol pump is dry. There is no shortage of petrol diesel and PNG. There are some issues related to LPG and that's why some steps are taken," said Joshi, who handles the New and Renewable Energy portfolio.

"I am not only comparing it (India) to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or, Pakistan. In many other countries, there is a problem... Our source was nearly around 27 (nations) for crude oil. Now it has gone up to 40. LPG sources are less. But still, wherever it is available, we have kept the supply chain perfect," he said.

Moreover, the country, he said, has increased domestic production and is increasing supply lines. "Wherever there is a connection with piped natural gas... 25,000 km of pipeline has been laid, there is gas in it," he said. 

Gandhi, he added, is just "scaring people and creating fear psychosis" from Day One of the war. "Is it good for the country? While opposing the Modi government, they are opposing India... the Opposition should not spread rumours," he said. Then in another jibe at the Opposition, he added, "We believe in sun power, they believe in son power".

On Tuesday, amid reports of Pakistan allegedly facilitating talks between Iran and the US, Gandhi had launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Middle East situation and India's handling of it. 

Referring to the All-Party meet, he said he would not be able to because it clashes with a programme in Kerala. 

"All-party meeting should take place, but a structural blunder has been made... And this cannot be fixed, especially since the Prime Minister cannot. He will do whatever America says and will not work in the interest of the farmers and the country. He will do whatever America and Israel say," Gandhi told reporters.

In a direct attack on the Congress, Joshi enumerated the times when the Congress-led government had taken mis-steps.

"What foreign policy are you (Rahul Gandhi) talking about? You are afraid... the way you have treated Pakistan, when a foreign secretary (former US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice), comes and tells you 'don't attack', you tremble, bow down and come back," he said, citing then Union minister P Chidambaram's statement on India's preparedness after the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai.