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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Commercial LPG 'evaporates' in Maharashtra

Mumbai : The short supply of commercial LPG cylinders turned ‘grim’ on Wednesday as hundreds of small and medium eateries – on whom the ordinary working Mumbaikars depend on for daily meals – shut down or drastically trimmed menus, on Wednesday.   With an estimated 50,000-plus hotels, restaurants and small food joints, the crunch is beginning to be felt severely, said Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) vice-president and Hotel and Restaurant Association Western...

Commercial LPG 'evaporates' in Maharashtra

Mumbai : The short supply of commercial LPG cylinders turned ‘grim’ on Wednesday as hundreds of small and medium eateries – on whom the ordinary working Mumbaikars depend on for daily meals – shut down or drastically trimmed menus, on Wednesday.   With an estimated 50,000-plus hotels, restaurants and small food joints, the crunch is beginning to be felt severely, said Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) vice-president and Hotel and Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI) spokesperson Pradeep Shetty.   “We are in continuous touch with the concerned authorities, but the situation is very gloomy. There is no response from the Centre or the Ministry of Petroleum on when the situation will ease. We fear that more than 50 pc of all eateries in Mumbai will soon down the shutters. The same will apply to the rest of the state and many other parts of India,” Shetty told  ‘ The Perfect Voice’ .   The shortage of commercial LPG has badly affected multiple sectors, including the hospitality and food industries, mass private or commercial kitchens and even the laundry businesses, industry players said.   At their wits' ends, many restaurateurs resorted to the reliable old iron ‘chulhas’ (stoves) fired by either coal or wood - the prices of which have also shot up and result in pollution - besides delaying the cooking.   Anticipating a larger crisis, even domestic LPG consumers besieged retail dealers in Mumbai, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Akola, Nagpur to book their second cylinder, with snaky queues in many cities. The stark reality of the 12-days old Gulf war with the disturbed supplies has hit the people and industries in the food supply chains that feed crores daily.   “The ordinary folks leave home in the morning after breakfast, then they rely on the others in the food chain for their lunch or dinner. Many street retailers have also shut down temporarily,” said Shetty.   Dry Snacks A quick survey of some suburban ‘khau gullies’ today revealed that the available items were mostly cold sandwiches, fruit or vegetable salads, cold desserts or ice-creams, cold beverages and packed snacks. Few offered the regular ‘piping hot’ foods that need elaborate cooking, or charging higher than normal menu rates, and even the app-based food delivery system was impacted.   Many people were seen gloomily munching on colorful packets of dry snacks like chips, chivda, sev, gathiya, samosas, etc. for lunch, the usually cheerful ‘chai ki dukaans’ suddenly disappeared from their corners, though soft drinks and tetrapaks were available.   Delay, Scarcity  Maharashtra LPG Dealers Association President Deepak Singh yesterday conceded to “some delays due to supply shortages” of commercial cylinders, but assured that there is no scarcity of domestic cylinders.   “We are adhering to the Centre’s guidelines for a 25 days booking period between 2 cylinders (domestic). The issue is with commercial cylinders but even those are available though less in numbers,” said Singh, adding that guidelines to prioritise educational institutions, hospitals, and defence, are being followed, but others are also getting their supplies.   Despite the assurances, Shetty said that the current status is extremely serious since the past week and the intermittent disruptions have escalated into a near-total halt in supplies in many regions since Monday.   Adding to the dismal picture is the likelihood of local hoteliers associations in different cities like Pune, Palghar, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and more resorting to tough measures from Thursday, including temporary shutdown of their outlets, which have run out of gas stocks.

Maharashtra’s Persistent Politician

Devendra Fadnavis

In Indian politics, comebacks are as rare as they are celebrated. Devendra Fadnavis, now firmly ensconced as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister for a third term (technically his second major term), has proven himself an exception. The 53-year-old has rewritten the playbook for survival and success in India’s most industrialised state. A consummate insider, Fadnavis has defied political gravity, brushing off casteist vitriol, internal rivalries and coalition quagmires. His elevation underscores the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) evolving ethos that loyalty, competence and electoral muscle are prized over ideology and patronage.


Fadnavis’s journey to becoming a three-time Chief Minister is a narrative of remarkable milestones. He holds several records that set him apart from any of his predecessors. Notably, he is the first Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra’s history to have previously served as the Chief Minister and then reclaimed the top post. Additionally, he is the first non-Congress leader to achieve the distinction of being Chief Minister three times. Under his leadership, the BJP accomplished an impressive electoral feat: securing a hat-trick of more than 100 seats in successive state elections since 2014. These records underscore his undeniable imprint on Maharashtra’s political landscape.


Fadnavis’s comeback is also a symbolic victory against targeted caste-based animosity. During his political career, he has faced relentless criticism and attacks aimed at his Brahmin identity. Yet, the voters of Maharashtra have shown that they rally behind a leader who is targeted unjustly. This phenomenon reflects a broader rejection of caste-based hatred in the state’s politics, affirming that merit and leadership transcend such divisive tactics. The electorate’s support for Fadnavis highlights their faith in his vision and ability to deliver, rather than succumbing to polarizing narratives.


In his new term, Fadnavis faces the formidable challenge of steering Maharashtra through a complex set of socio-economic issues which call for urgency.


Fadnavis inherits a state grappling with economic stagnation and a battered reputation. Maharashtra, once India’s industrial crown jewel, has seen investment flows drift southward to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Perceptions of political instability during the Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition have exacerbated this trend. Fadnavis must rekindle investor confidence, expedite stalled projects, and chart a path for sustained growth in agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.


Maharashtra’s farmers need sustainable solutions to recurring droughts, price volatility, and access to credit. Fadnavis must prioritize reforms that increase productivity and ensure fair remuneration.


Revitalizing Maharashtra’s industrial sector is crucial. By attracting investments and creating a business-friendly ecosystem, the state can reclaim its status as India’s industrial powerhouse. Urban and rural infrastructure development must be accelerated to cater to growing population needs. Projects like the Mumbai Metro, coastal roads, and rural connectivity will have to remain high on the agenda of the ‘Mahayuti 2.0’ under Fadnavis.


Addressing the needs of marginalized communities, ensuring healthcare access, and improving education standards will solidify social cohesion and lastly, Maharashtra’s fiscal health requires prudent management. Striking a balance between welfare spending and revenue generation will be essential for sustainable development.


Fadnavis’s leadership will be judged on how effectively he can address these challenges while maintaining Maharashtra’s economic and social stability.

The BJP’s decision to elevate Fadnavis once again is a clear message to its cadre and beyond: loyalty and merit will always be rewarded. Fadnavis’s unwavering commitment to the party, even during challenging times, has set an example for others within the organization. His elevation reflects the party’s belief in nurturing talent from within and empowering its leaders based on performance rather than expediency.


However, his image remains a double-edged sword. Fadnavis must ensure that he empowers the loyal workers who form the backbone of the BJP. During his first stint as Chief Minister, he was often criticized for being disconnected from the party’s grassroots cadre. This term presents an opportunity for him to rectify that perception and build stronger ties with the party workers. While he has outmanoeuvred rivals, his alliances with defectors and powerbrokers have drawn criticism. This time, with no immediate challengers within the BJP, Fadnavis must focus on reshaping his legacy. Steering clear of opportunistic associations and empowering grassroots workers will be crucial to avoiding the missteps of his earlier tenure.


In a state where Sharad Pawar looms large as a political adversary, Fadnavis must remain vigilant. The NCP (SP) patriarch, renowned for his tactical nous, will exploit any fissures within the Mahayuti coalition.


Fadnavis’s political story has always been one of persistence over privilege. His rise from the municipal corridors of Nagpur to the chief minister’s office in Mumbai has been marked by resilience. Today, Maharashtra’s voters demand not just political resilience but a Chief Minister capable of restoring the state’s pre-eminence on the national stage. Whether Fadnavis can rise to the occasion will define not just his career but also the BJP’s fortunes in the years to come.


Fadnavis, ever the pragmatist, seems acutely aware of this reality. His leadership will determine not only his political legacy but also the trajectory of Maharashtra’s development in the years to come. For Maharashtra’s latest Chief Minister, the future begins now.

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