Chennai: M. K. Stalin has urged Narendra Modi to guarantee uninterrupted LPG availability in the state, warning that global supply disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia could impact households, businesses and industries.
In a letter to the prime minister, Stalin said Tamil Nadu requires nearly 200 metric tonnes of LPG each month for domestic use and about 20 metric tonnes for commercial and industrial consumption. He noted that oil companies have reportedly curtailed supply to commercial users to prioritise household connections, a move that has created difficulties for hotels, restaurants and small eateries that depend heavily on the fuel for daily operations.
The chief minister cautioned that continued shortages could also affect Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other industries relying on LPG, potentially leading to disruptions in production. He called on the Centre to direct relevant ministries and oil companies to ensure balanced distribution across domestic, commercial and industrial sectors.
Stalin also raised concerns regarding natural gas allocation for power plants and asked the Union government to reconsider provisions under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026. In separate letters to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, he said the current rule restricting gas supply to 65 per cent of the average consumption of the previous six months may not reflect seasonal demand patterns.
He suggested linking the allocation to consumption during the same period last year to better meet rising electricity demand in the summer months. According to Stalin, any shift by industries from natural gas to electricity due to limited supply could further increase power demand, making stable fuel supply for gas-based plants essential.
In another communication to the prime minister, the chief minister also sought assistance for the evacuation of Tamil Nadu residents stranded abroad. He said control rooms in Chennai and New Delhi had received around 2,600 distress calls seeking help.
Stalin requested the Centre to facilitate transit visas and other clearances to speed up their return. He added that 5,256 passengers have already arrived in Tamil Nadu on 16 flights, but urged the government to arrange additional special flights to Chennai to bring back those still waiting.