Opposition Disrupts Lok Sabha Over LPG Cylinder Shortage

Lok Sabha Proceedings Disrupted

Amid ongoing protests by opposition MPs regarding a purported shortage of LPG cylinders across the nation, the Lok Sabha's session was adjourned until 2 PM on Friday. This disruption occurred after the question hour was already suspended due to opposition members raising concerns and demanding a discussion on the supply crisis. Once the brief adjournment ended and the house reconvened, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju attempted to address the assembly, but opposition members continued to chant slogans related to the LPG issue.

Chairman's Appeals Ignored

BJP MP Sandhya Rai, who was presiding over the proceedings, repeatedly urged the protesting members to return to their seats and allow the house to function smoothly. Despite her appeals, the uproar from opposition MPs demanding a discussion on the LPG supply issue persisted. Due to the ongoing chaos, the session was adjourned for the second time on Friday, with the meeting postponed until 2 PM.

Finance Minister Expected to Respond

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to respond to discussions regarding supplementary demands for grants for the fiscal year 2025-26 around 2 PM. Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had suspended the house until noon after protests erupted during the question hour. Opposition members expressed their concerns about the alleged shortage of LPG cylinders in various parts of the country and criticized the government's claim that there is no supply crisis.

Speaker's Call for Order

In adjourning the house, Birla condemned the disruptions and urged members to maintain parliamentary decorum. He emphasized that it is everyone's responsibility to uphold the sanctity, decorum, and dignity of the house; however, the kind of misconduct displayed by some members undermines that sanctity. The Speaker further stated that if members are unwilling to allow the question hour to proceed and deliberately obstruct the proceedings, the house would have to be adjourned until noon.