CM Siddaramaiah urges Centre to import LPG from other nations to address shortage
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he has written to the Centre urging it to explore alternative measures, including importing LPG from other countries, to address the shortage of cooking gas being reported in parts of the state.
Speaking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said the state government had already responded to the issue in the legislature and had taken up the matter with the Union government to ensure the uninterrupted supply of LPG.
“The government has already given replies twice, both in the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. I have also written a letter. Regarding this shortage, I have said that efforts should be made to explore alternatives, such as bringing LPG from other countries to avoid the shortage. Even now, I am urging the central government,” Siddaramaiah said.
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He noted that a large section of the population depends on hotels for food and warned that disruption in LPG supply could affect daily life.
The CM said Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has assured that steps would be taken to ensure there is no disruption in supply.
“There are many people who depend on hotels for food. If hotels stop functioning, it will cause great difficulty and the entire public life will be disrupted,” he said, adding that he had urged the Union government to act immediately to resolve the issue.
Responding to criticism from state BJP leaders that the LPG shortage was not being reported in other states, Siddaramaiah said, “Let them supply it then. Maybe they are showing a stepmotherly attitude towards Karnataka. Let them supply it to Karnataka. What will we do by keeping it with us?”
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
