Karnataka Minister Attributes LPG Shortage to Modi-Trump Foreign Policy Stance
In a significant political statement, Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology Minister NS Boseraju of Karnataka has directly linked the ongoing LPG cylinder shortage across India to the foreign policy decisions of the central government. Speaking to reporters in Munirabad, Koppal district, on Friday, Boseraju pointed to what he termed as "excessive proximity" between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump as a key factor disrupting domestic supply chains.
Critique of Current Foreign Policy Approach
The minister elaborated that this close relationship has led to undue American influence over India, which in turn has affected the availability of essential commodities like LPG. "Whenever we raise concerns, it is portrayed as criticism of Modi. But the reality is that his over-friendly stance with Trump has put India in a difficult position," Boseraju asserted. He contrasted this with the previous Congress-led regime, claiming that India maintained balanced relations with multiple global powers, including the US and Russia.
According to Boseraju, "Except for China and Pakistan, ties with most countries were stable and cooperative. However, the current foreign policy has weakened the country's position." The severity of the LPG shortage has prompted Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to formally write to the Union government seeking immediate intervention to address the crisis.
Progress on Tungabhadra Reservoir Infrastructure
Following his comments on national issues, Minister Boseraju shifted focus to local development projects. He inspected the installation of new crest gates at the Tungabhadra reservoir, providing a detailed update on the progress. All 33 gates are scheduled for completion by the end of May, with 18 gates already installed and work actively progressing on five additional gates.
"We expect 23 gates to be completed by March end," Boseraju stated. The remaining 10 gates will be installed throughout April, ensuring the reservoir is fully operational before the monsoon season arrives in June. Expert teams and chief engineers have confirmed that the replacement work has not compromised the structural integrity of the dam.
Addressing Silt Accumulation and Inter-State Coordination
On the issue of silt accumulation, which affects reservoir capacity, Boseraju revealed that a proposal for a balancing reservoir project at Navali has been submitted to the Tungabhadra Board and the concerned state governments. Communication channels have been established with Andhra Pradesh, and efforts are underway to coordinate with the Telangana government to move the project forward.
Recently, the state government held discussions in New Delhi with the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and Members of Parliament from various states. "Union ministers and officials have responded positively. A final decision will be taken after another round of meetings once the model code of conduct process is completed," Boseraju explained, indicating a collaborative approach to resolving water management challenges.
Key Officials Present During Inspection
The inspection and subsequent briefing were attended by several notable officials, including Karnataka Khadi and Village Industries Board Chairman and Maski MLA Basanagouda Turvihal, Assistant Commissioner Mahesh Malagitti, ASP R Hemanth Kumar, and engineers from the Tungabhadra Board and KNNL. Their presence underscored the multi-departmental effort involved in both addressing the LPG shortage concerns and advancing critical infrastructure projects in the region.
