Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Opposition should stand with government during global challenges, says Nirmala Sitharaman

The reported shortage of gas cylinders in the country, linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, is expected to dominate proceedings in Parliament on Friday. Both Houses are scheduled to reconvene at 11 am after being adjourned the previous day following the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the Gulf crisis.Leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday warned in the Lok Sabha of “serious consequences” for India’s energy security amid the escalating conflict, with Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri present in the House.He pointed out that the Strait of Hormuz — a key route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes — has been blocked, severely disrupting global energy flows.“A war has broken out in the Middle East. The United States, Israel and Iran are involved, and it will have far-reaching consequences. The Strait of Hormuz, the central artery through which around 20% of global oil flows, has been closed. This will have tremendous repercussions, particularly for India, as a large share of our oil and natural gas passes through this route,” Gandhi said.“The pain has just started. Restaurants are closing. There is widespread panic about LPG. This is only the beginning,” he added.Gandhi also questioned why a country of India’s size would “allow” another country — in a veiled reference to the United States — to decide “who we buy our oil and gas from.”Meanwhile, Puri assured the Lok Sabha that India is “successfully navigating” the disruption in global energy supplies.He said the country has adequate gas production and supply arrangements to sustain itself even if the conflict continues for a prolonged period. “Power generation for households as well as industry is fully protected,” the minister said, adding that there is “no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil.”The second and final leg of Parliament’s Budget session resumed on Monday and is scheduled to conclude on April 2.