Parliament Budget Session: Uproar in Lok Sabha after Rahul Gandhi raises Epstein files issue

Hardeep Puri said LNG cargo is reaching daily in the country and the government was in the position to control the situation if the crisis persists for a long time. He said the production of LPG had increased in the last five days. 

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said there was no scarcity of petrol and diesel in India. He said 100 per cent CNG supply is being ensured and crude oil is being imported from 40 countries.

A massive uproar was witnessed in Lok Sabha after Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of Epstein Files. Speak Om Birla said the issue cannot be discussed as discussion was sought by the LoP on other issue.

Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi said the LPG crisis amid unrest in the Middle East was just the beginning the plight will mount. 

"If we look at Uttar Pradesh, Gorakhpur and Lucknow, not only have LPG prices increased there, but commercial gas prices are also rising. With the shortage and the videos that are coming out, I don't understand why you (the government) aren't even admitting there's a problem. In the restaurant business, the hotel business, even with domestic LPG, people are facing problems, and when black marketing has started, how will the government find a solution to this?" she said.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will be speaking on LPG crisis in Lok Sabha at 4:30 pm in Delhi today and the concerned minsiter will reply on it post Rahul Gandhi's speech.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri will give a statement in Lok Sabha on the overall energy position of India amid the West Asia conflict that has invariably affected shipping lines.Leader of the Opposition Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will be in the House, and is likely to intervene during the discussion on the subject, sources said.India's crude supply remains secure through diversified procurement amid the West Asia crisis that has affected global energy routes, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said on Wednesday at an inter-ministerial press briefing."India's crude supply remains secure. Our daily consumption is about 55 lakh barrels. Through diversified procurement, the volumes we have secured today exceed what would normally have arrived through the Strait of Hormuz during this period," Sujata Sharma said at the joint press briefing.Amid LPG supplies to India impacted by tensions in West Asia, Sharma said the government has absorbed a significant part of the cost increase to the increase to protect the consumers."Currently, LPG is being directed to the domestic sector. For non-domestic LPG, priority is being given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions. The committee is consulting with state authorities and industry bodies to finalise the plan to ensure that available LPG is distributed fairly and transparently," she said, addressing the press briefing.Sharma said two LNG cargos are on their way to India.

Om Birla noted he deliberately stayed away from proceedings on the day the Opposition gave notice for the removal motion, countering allegations of bias raised by leaders like Congress's Mohammad Jawed, KC Venugopal and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi.

Om Birla emphasised his consistent efforts to allow every member to express themselves strictly under established rules and procedures, while also encouraging hesitant participants to engage fully in House discussions.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the House following a gruelling 12-hour debate on an Opposition resolution seeking his removal, where critics questioned his impartiality and claimed their voices were stifled in proceedings.

"House represents will of 140 crore Indians and I have always encouraged those who hesitate to participate in House proceedings," said Speaker Om Birla in Lok Sabha. 

The proceedings of the Lower House of the Parliament were adjourned till 12 noon on Thursday amid sloganeering by the Opposition MPs.Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's return to the House was met with protest and heavy sloganeering. He asked the INDIA bloc MPs to let the House function during the Question Hour.Birla said, "Question Hour is a significant time (in Parliamentary proceedings), and I urge that we let it function. MPs can raise their issues in the Question Hour and hold the government responsible. At 12 noon, I will also present my views on the discussion that happened in the last two days. Do you not want the Question Hour to function?"Opposition has been demanding a discussion on the reported commercial LPG shortage across the country in the backdrop of the West Asia conflict.Earlier today, led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress leaders continued their protests in the Parliament premises over the reports of nationwide shortage of LPG gas cylinders.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla returns to the Chair after the no-confidence motion against him moved by the Opposition was rejected yesterday. He says, "On the two-day discussion which was held, I will also present my view. Lok Sabha is adjourned till noon today."

On reports of LPG shortage, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "Such issues should be discussed in Parliament. The government should be informed. You know how long the lines are for LPG cylinders... You know that prices have been increased. This is a platform to present all this to the public... All we want is a discussion and the government to provide assurances to the public. It cannot be that they simply run the government according to their own will..."

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 pm 

Parliament Session: JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha says, "The Prime Minister has already given a statement that just like during COVID, when such a huge crisis affected the entire world and India overcame it by developing vaccines and helping other countries, similarly, even during the ongoing war, the Prime Minister has said that there is no LPG crisis and no petrol crisis. The Government of India is monitoring the situation completely. When the Prime Minister himself has given such a statement, the country should understand that there is no crisis."

Parliament session: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on the reported LPG crisis says, “The Prime Minister says there is no need to panic. But he himself appears panicked for completely different reasons. You saw yesterday that the Prime Minister’s chair inside the House was empty. He is telling the country not to panic while he himself seems worried.”

Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi joined Congress leaders staging a protest in the Parliament premises over the reports of nationwide shortage of LPG gas cylinders.

The resolution for removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla negatived in the Lok Sabha. 

The Congress demanded a full-fledged discussion in Parliament on the West Asia crisis that has led to energy shortage, saying the people of the country deserve to know the truth.