Parliament Budget Session 2026 Highlights: No time for fake narratives, says Energy Minister on oil, LPG crisis

Lok Sabha proceedings have been extended till 7 pm. Uproar over supplementary demands for grants. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaks about the matter.

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day. House to resume tomorrow at 11 am.

Lok Sabha has resumed.

Hardeep Puri said this is not the moment for rumour-mongering or fake narratives as the country navigates the most severe global energy disruption in recorded history. "Crude supply is flowing. Gas is prioritised for homes and farms. LPG production has been stepped up by 28 per cent. Consumer prices are held far below what markets and regional comparators would dictate. Schools are open. Petrol is on the forecourt. Every citizen, regardless of political affiliation, has a stake in that. India must stand united behind its energy warriors."

Hardeep Puri said that the government has instructed all refineries to divert their entire output of C3 (propane/propylene) and C4 (butene/butene) hydrocarbon streams to LPG production. He further said that the scope of imports has been widened to the US, Norway, Canada, Algeria and Russia to ensure the supply remains ongoing. "India used to import 60% of its LPG needs from Gulf countries like Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. 40% came from domestic production."

Lok Sabha briefly adjourned and will resume at 5 pm.

Hardeep Puri said that India's crude oil supply position is secure despite the global conflict, and that the volume exceeds what could have been delivered had the Strait of Hormuz not been blocked in the same duration (since the start of the blockade). "The world has not faced a moment like this in modern energy history...India's crude supply position is secure, and the volume secured exceeds what the Hormuz would have delivered. Before the crisis, approximately 45% of India's crude imports transited through the Strait of Hormuz route. Thanks to the Prime Minister's outstanding diplomatic outreach and goodwill, India has secured crude volumes that exceed what the disrupted Strait of Hormuz could have delivered in the same period.

Rahul Gandhi's speech was cut short by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Before being stopped, he spoke about America's recent announcement of giving India a 30-day waiver to obtain Russian oil. "The foundation of every single nation is its energy security. Allowing the United States to decide who we buy oil from, who we buy gas from, and whether we can buy oil from Russia or not...Our relationship with different oil suppliers can be decided by us. This is what has been bartered," the Congress MP said.

There is no shortage of diesel, petrol or kerosene in the country, Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in Lok Sabha on Thursday. He added that supply chains are functioning smoothly.

Opposition chants 'Epstein, Epstein' as Energy Minister Hardeep Puri responds on the LPG crisis issue in Lok Sabha.

Massive uproar in Lok Sabha as LoP Rahul Gandhi takes 'Epstein files' barb at Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi speaks on the matter of LPG crisis in India in House.

Several Trinamool MPs, including Mahua Moitra, Sayani Ghosh and Pratima Mondal banged utensils in the Lok Sabha over the ongoing LPG crisis in the country. They brought plates, frying pans and spoons to the House. BJP MP Ashwini Vaishnaw asked not to politicise the matter and said that the nation should remain united over the same.

(Inputs from Himanshu Mishra)

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance to citizens amid reports of a nationwide LPG shortage, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said she hopes the Prime Minister is right, but the situation does not appear so. She said the ground reality suggests that people are facing difficulties due to the reported shortage

Ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, the Indian National Congress in Odisha has issued a three-line whip directing all party MLAs to remain in Bhubaneswar and ensure their presence in the Assembly for voting on March 16. The party has asked its legislators to stay available to participate in the voting process.

Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has requested the Chair to raise the issue of the LPG crisis in the House. The Chair allowed him to take up the matter at 4:30 pm, following which the government is expected to respond to the concerns raised.

Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge raised serious concerns in the Upper House over a reported foiled attack on former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. Kharge questioned the government’s intentions and said Abdullah’s security was under threat, alleging that the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir has deteriorated.

He further said that if the Centre cannot ensure the safety of people in the Union Territory, the government should restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and allow the local administration to handle security and law and order.

Nitish Kumar is likely to be formally elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16, according to sources. He is currently on a tour across Bihar till March 26 and is expected to resign as Chief Minister on April 8 or 9.

Sources said Kumar will take oath as a Rajya Sabha member only after stepping down as Chief Minister. His son Nishant Kumar is likely to be made Deputy Chief Minister, while another Deputy CM will be from the JD(U), with the Home Ministry expected to remain with the BJP.

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said he had sought permission to make a statement in the House on the LPG and oil situation in the country but was not allowed to speak immediately under what he called a “new procedure.”