“Is PM ready to protect us?” Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin questions Modi on West Asia crisis

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modirsquos statement in Parliamen on Monday urging people to prepare for the impacts of the West Asia warStalin accused the Centre of outsourcing preparedness and failing to act despite repeated warnings reported ANIIn a post on X Stalin wrote ldquoPreparedness cannot be outsourced to the people Prepared for what leadership or its absence Prime Minister who is supposed to prepare the Union Government or the people of the country You say that just as we prepared for Covid19 we must also be prepared for the impacts of the West Asia warrdquoStalin said that on March 11 he had written to the Prime Minister seeking immediate steps including ensuring the uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders rescuing Tamils stranded in Gulf countries and revising gas supply allocation limits for power stationsStalin cites March 11 letter flags urgent LPG and evacuation concernsldquoAs the war situation intensified and its impact became evident I wrote to you on March 11 requesting three measures to ensure the uninterrupted availability of LPG cylinders for all uses to rescue Tamils stranded in Gulf countries and to revise gas supply allocation limits for power stations The following day on March 12 opposition parties staged a protest in the Parliament complex to underscore the seriousness of the situation to the Union Governmentrdquo he said reported ANIHe further added that with no response from the Centre the Tamil Nadu government convened a highlevel meeting on March 14 and announced relief measuresldquoWithout waiting for action from the Union Government as a responsible state government we conducted a highlevel consultation and announced several measures to tackle the gas shortage a Rs 2 subsidy per unit for additional electricity consumption when food production units switch from LPG to electric stoves subsidised loans for MSMEs to purchase electric stoves and heaters and exemption for industries from obtaining TNPCB consent to use alternative fuels To support farmersrsquo livelihoods amid restaurant closures vegetables and fruits could be sold without restrictions in 194 Uzhavar Sandhais farmersrsquo markets At that time I asked lsquoWhat is the Union Government going to do to protect public welfarersquo There was no responserdquo Stalin addedAccording to ANI on March 15 protests were held across Tamil Nadu condemning the BJPled Centre for its ldquolack of foresight and preparednessrdquoStalin questions preparednessldquoWe organised protests across Tamil Nadu condemning the Union BJP Government for its lack of foresight and preparedness After all this you are advising that lsquopeople must be preparedrsquo Before telling people to be prepared are you prepared to protect them What precautionary measures have you taken to safeguard Indian citizens from the impacts of the West Asia war Now the nation has only one question lsquoIs the Prime Minister prepared to protect usrsquordquo he saidHis remarks came after PM Modirsquos address in the Lok Sabha on the ongoing USIsraelIran conflictIn his speech the Prime Minister said the escalating conflict in West Asia now in its fourth week was posing significant challenges for India particularly in terms of energy security and trade disruptionsPM Modi flags global impact of prolonged West Asia conflictldquoThe situation in West Asia is worrisome This conflict has been going on for more than three weeks It has a severe impact on the global economy and peoplersquos lives and that is why the world is urging all sides for an early resolutionrdquo Modi saidHe also cautioned that the conflict could have lasting effects and reiterated that India has been advocating deescalation through dialogue and diplomacyThe Prime Minister noted that nearly one crore Indians reside in Gulf countries making the situation a matter of heightened concern He said the government has taken steps to ensure the safety of Indian nationals facilitate evacuations and maintain essential fuel supplies despite disruptions in the Strait of HormuzHe further stated that over 375 lakh Indian nationals have returned safely to the country with at least 1000 of them escorted from IranWith ANI inputs