Govt's claim of no significant war impact on India is wrong: Sena (UBT)

Amid growing concerns over LPG shortages reportedly linked to the escalating conflict in West Asia the Shiv Sena UBT on Thursday criticised the governmentIn an editorial published in the partyrsquos mouthpiece Saamana the party argued that the governmentrsquos optimistic claims about the limited impact of the conflict on Indiarsquos economy are at odds with the situation on the ground reported the IANSThe editorial said the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel has begun to strain the Indian economyAccording to the article the Indian rupee has weakened sharply touching a record low of 9233 against the US dollar while domestic fuel shortages have started affecting several sectorsThe editorial also referred to recent remarks by Nirmala Sitharaman who had said rising global crude oil prices would not significantly affect domestic inflation However the Sena UBT claimed the situation suggests otherwise as per the IANSClaims of economic impact across sectorsThe editorial alleged that the ongoing conflict has disrupted energy supplies after reported attacks on oil refineries in Qatar Bahrain and Kuwait along with restrictions on oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz by Iran the news agency reportedIt claimed these developments have triggered economic difficulties in IndiaAccording to the Saamana editorial Agricultural exports are reportedly stuck at ports in Dubai and Kuwait The automotive and pharmaceutical sectors are facing uncertainty Nearly 1000 foundry units in Maharashtra are said to be at risk of closure due to gas shortages Around 40 per cent of restaurants in Mumbai have allegedly shut operations due to a shortage of commercial gas according to the IANSCriticism of political prioritiesThe editorial also criticised the Prime Ministerrsquos political engagements claiming that he remained focused on election campaigning in Tamil Nadu Kerala and West Bengal while the economic challenges were intensifyingIt further referred to a controversial remark attributed to Karoline Leavitt the White House press secretary claiming that Donald Trump allowed India to purchase Russian oil because the Indian Prime Minister acted according to American direction The editorial described the statement as an insult to IndialsquoGutter Gasrsquo remarkIn a satirical tone the editorial mocked what it described as government claims that gas could be produced by installing pipes in sewers and drainsThe Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT suggested sarcastically that if such ideas were implemented drains and gutters could replace oil wells around the world and that India could become a global leader in producing gas from sewage systems reported the IANSThe editorial even joked that a major gas production project could be launched along the polluted Mithi River in Mumbai and sarcastically suggested inviting the Prime Minister and Devendra Fadnavis for its inaugurationUsing satire the editorial argued that while other nations focus on oil wells Indiarsquos abundance of polluted rivers drains and stagnant water bodies would ensure it remains a leader in what it called ldquogutter gasrdquo productionwith IANS inputs