Opposition members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress caused a commotion in the Odisha Assembly over the recent increase in LPG cylinder prices and cooking gas shortages. During the Question Hour, Congress members displayed placards and shouted anti-government slogans regarding the LPG price hike. The BJD MLAs also protested loudly, leading to the House being adjourned multiple times by the Speaker.
The protests continued even after the House reconvened, with opposition members persisting on the issue of LPG price hikes. Senior Congress leader Ashok Das emphasized the burden the rising prices place on common people and urged the government to ensure affordable cooking gas for all households. He stressed the importance of restoring subsidies on LPG cylinders to help citizens manage their daily expenses.
BJD leader Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo highlighted the essential nature of cooking gas for households and small businesses, expressing concerns over the increasing prices and supply issues. He called for the government to guarantee a steady supply of LPG cylinders to enable uninterrupted kitchen operations across the state. Singh Deo criticized the administrative shortcomings that have led to distress among consumers and small businesses, urging immediate government intervention.
BJP MLA Irasis Acharya criticized the opposition’s disruptive behavior in the Assembly, suggesting that the LPG issue could have been addressed through structured debates during the Question Hour and Zero Hour. He acknowledged the government’s efforts to enhance LPG accessibility, particularly for economically weaker sections, and improve supply mechanisms to meet the demand for cooking gas.
