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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Gas on paper, shutdown on ground

Despite higher quotas, supply fails to reach ground Kolhapur: Despite official assurances and a 20 per cent increase in gas allocation for hotels and food processing units, operators in Kolhapur say supplies remain elusive. With distributors citing administrative curbs even as stocks are available, the crisis has pushed nearly 4,000 establishments to the brink — threatening 80,000 livelihoods and casting a shadow over the city’s tourism-dependent economy. The situation stands in contrast to...

Gas on paper, shutdown on ground

Despite higher quotas, supply fails to reach ground Kolhapur: Despite official assurances and a 20 per cent increase in gas allocation for hotels and food processing units, operators in Kolhapur say supplies remain elusive. With distributors citing administrative curbs even as stocks are available, the crisis has pushed nearly 4,000 establishments to the brink — threatening 80,000 livelihoods and casting a shadow over the city’s tourism-dependent economy. The situation stands in contrast to directions issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has emphasised that essential establishments should not face disruption in fuel and gas supplies. While policy decisions at the Centre and the state appear aligned to protect commercial users, implementation gaps at the district level have left hotel operators struggling to access basic fuel. Industry representatives allege that although gas distribution companies have confirmed adequate stock, supply is being withheld due to administrative restrictions. The lack of clarity and coordination has deepened uncertainty, with many operators warning that prolonged disruption could force them to suspend operations. Local Economy Kolhapur’s hospitality sector — comprising small eateries, mid-sized establishments and larger hotels — forms a critical pillar of the local economy. Beyond direct employment to nearly 80,000 workers, it sustains a wide network of suppliers, transporters and ancillary businesses. Any prolonged disruption in essential services such as gas, electricity and water, stakeholders point out, risks triggering a cascading economic impact. The origins of the current strain lie in global supply disruptions following tensions in the Gulf region, which prompted authorities to prioritise domestic LPG consumption. While commercial allocations were initially curtailed, subsequent policy revisions sought to restore balance by enhancing quotas for sectors such as hospitality and food processing. However, in Kolhapur, operators say these decisions have not translated into actual relief. No Response Compounding the crisis is the reported lack of administrative response. Industry members claim that attempts to reach district authorities have gone unanswered, leaving them without guidance or timelines for restoration of supply. “Gas is available, but supply is being denied citing administrative reasons. If this continues, we will be left with no option but to shut down operations,” said Sachin Shanbhag, a senior office-bearer of the Kolhapur Hotel Owners’ Association. Hotel operators also underline their longstanding role in public service, particularly during emergencies. From floods in Kolhapur to disasters beyond the state, the fraternity has repeatedly mobilised resources to provide food and relief — often at short notice and personal cost. During the Bhuj earthquake, Kolhapur-based operators were among the first to set up community kitchens for affected families. The current impasse, therefore, raises a broader question of administrative accountability. If the state can rely on the sector during crises, stakeholders argue, it must also ensure that the industry’s own operational needs are not neglected. Unless the supply chain is normalised quickly and gas is made available in line with declared quotas, the fallout could be severe. Apart from the immediate risk to thousands of livelihoods, Kolhapur’s tourism sector — still in a phase of recovery — could face a significant setback, undermining economic momentum in the region. Despite announcements by the Centre and the state to increase gas quotas for hotels and food processing units, local distributors are refusing supply, claiming the decision is limited to the national level. While they acknowledge that stock is available, supply continues to be denied citing prevailing conditions. Sachin Shanbhag, President, Kolhapur Hotel Owners’ Association

Warring MVA allies take their fight to Pawar

With the Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT sparring over around 15 seats with threats of even going independent, Sharad Pawar has stepped in to keep the MVA intact

Pawar

Mumbai: Temperatures in Maharashtra are soaring and its not just the mercury that spiraling upwards. Frenetic discussions and arguments among constituents of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are raising the heat as the seat sharing arrangement is yet inconclusive. Sharad Pawar, reckoned as the architect of the MVA, has been roped in to quell the controversy with leaders of the Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena making urgent visits to the senior leader’s office. With no consensus in sight, Aditya Thackeray met Pawar in an attempt to seek his mediation in breaking the impasse.


The flashpoint, it is said, is over the seats in Vidarbha and Mumbai where neither the Shiv Sena-UBT nor the Congress currently have much of a presence. But traditionally, the area has elected Congress candidates which is the reason the party is refusing to concede those constituencies to the Sena.


Sources say that the state unit of the Congress has urged its party bosses not to give in to the Shiv Sena-UBT’s “unreasonable demands”. The deadlock is reportedly over 15 seats mostly in Vidarbha where both parties want to increase their presence.


The two parties have been putting up a strong stance with neither willing to blink first. If Sanjay Raut irked Congress leader Nana Patole by commenting that the Maharashtra Congress cannot take a decision, Congress leaders sent signals that they wouldn’t hesitate to walk out of the alliance if Uddhav Thackeray doesn’t relent.


While Pawar is working the phone lines with the Congress top brass in Delhi, Vijay Wadettiwar announced that while the impasse continues on “six to seven seats in Vidarbha”, the MVA is intact seat sharing arrangement might be finalised by Tuesday evening. Vidarbha has traditionally been a Congress stronghold and while it may not have a widespread presence there at present, the party is challenging the SS-UBT’s insistence on fielding candidates there.


It is said that prominent constituencies such as Ramtek, Warora and Nagpur South. Similarly, there are a few seats in Mumbai where the Congress feels it stands a better chance than the Shiv Sena-UBT. The Shiv Sena-UBT may give up its claim on certain key seats in Vidarbha which have been held by the Congress for years until a BJP wave swept across this eastern part of Maharashtra that has, for long, experienced neglect and farm distress.


Another flashpoint is believed to be the Bandra East constituency which was won by the Congress’s Zeeshan Siddiqui last time. While Siddiqui has switched over Ajit Pawar’s party, the Congress wants to stake claim to this seat which has a sizeable Muslim population. However, Thackeray’s nephew Varun Sardesai has started increasing his presence in the area with the Sena-UBT demanding that constituency.

Pawar’s meetings with leaders from both parties indicate that the NCP-SP supremo is the one who can play the mediator between the warring factions considering he is believed to be the one who had stitched together the alliance between unlikely partners with contrasting political ideologies. Party sources say that Pawar has spoken to the top bosses of both, the Shiv Sena-UBT and the Congress, underlining the need for the MVA to stay intact.

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