Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has asked what precautionary steps the Union government has taken to protect people from the impact of the West Asia war.
In a statement, Stalin referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks that the country should be prepared for the conflict’s effects, and questioned whether the responsibility lies with the Centre or with citizens. He said he had written to the Prime Minister seeking uninterrupted availability of cylinders for all uses, the rescue of Tamils stranded in Gulf countries, and changes to gas supply restrictions for power stations.
Stalin said opposition parties held a protest in the Parliament complex to highlight the seriousness of the situation. He added that the Tamil Nadu government, after high-level consultations, announced measures to face a gas shortage, including a subsidy of Rs 2 per unit for additional electricity consumption when food production units switch from LPG to electric stoves.
He also cited subsidised loans for micro, small and medium enterprises to purchase electric stoves and heaters, and said factories would not need TNPCB consent to use alternative fuels. He said farmers were allowed to sell vegetables and fruits without restrictions at 194 Uzhavar Sandhais even when restaurants were shut.
Criticising the BJP-led Union government for what he called a lack of foresight, Stalin said that after all this, the Centre was advising people to be prepared. He asked what concrete measures had been taken to safeguard Indians from the war’s fallout, and posed the question: is the Prime Minister ready to protect the people?
