Supply reduces to one-third in region
We have sufficient supplies: Govt
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 11: The LPG supply to the Jammu region has been reduced to almost one- third amidst Iran- United States, Israel war while the kitchen gas crisis is deepening day by day. If the crisis continued like this, the operation of hotels and restaurants will come to halt like other parts of the country.
Reports pouring in from various consumers and operators of cooking gas agencies across Jammu City and the region indicated that supplies have reduced to almost one- third during last couple of days. The agency operators have been directed by the Oil and Gas companies not to book cylinders before 25 days of earlier supply in case of domestic consumers. They have also been directed not to deliver cylinders without OTP and ensure that gas cylinder is being provided to the genuine consumer.
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Restaurant, hotel, Dhaba, tea- stall owners besides Halwais alleged that they are not getting commercial cylinders for the last couple of days as the gas agency operators are telling that they are not receiving the regular commercial supply from the Oil/LPG companies. The supplies from Bari Brahmana Plant, Lalru at Punjab- Haryana border near Ambala and Bathinda in Punjab are reportedly slowed down with the impact of war in Gulf countries. These people said that they are forced to use alternate fuel to run their business.
A manager at the Gas agency in Jammu on the condition of not being quoted said that LPG supply has been definitely hit with the Iran-US war. The LPG tankers are not arriving at the ports in Gujarat. We use to get three trucks supply per day, and now receiving hardly one. The supplies of last 5-7 days are pending in the area. Amidst panic the consumers are now directly arriving the agency to get cylinders. A rush is being observed at almost all the cooking gas outlets in Jammu and other towns.
The people are also complaining that they are not getting messages of booking gas cylinders and not even the OTP, which earlier was a routine. Similar reports have been received from Kathua, Udhampur, Samba, Rajouri, Katra, Reasi, R S Pura, Akhnoor etc. It has also been reported that sale of electric induction cookers has increased during last couple of days due to LPG shortage.
A Dhaba owner near Jammu bus stand at B C Road told the ‘Excelsior’ that price of commercial gas cylinder weighing 19 kg was increased by Rs 114 hardly three days ago, but even after this, they are not getting supply. He said that due to this rising crisis, they will not be able to run his Dhaba. Same is the position at Railway Station food outlets, local restaurants, hostels and caterers.
Tarsem Lal Gupta, a resident from Janipur said that he had booked has cylinder five days ago, but he is still waiting for the supply. Gupta said earlier he used to get supply within 24 hours or maximum two days. Rahul Pandoh from Rehari Colony also narrated the almost similar story and disclosed that he did not receive booking message or the OTP and the supply is still awaited. The agency people when contacted claimed that they have to first clear the backlog, he added.
Director Food, Consumers Affairs and Civil Supplies, Jammu, Rifat Kohli when contacted claimed that they held a meeting with the senior officials of the Oil and LPG companies recently and took stock of the supply position. Kohli claimed that they have sufficient supplies for the next 14 days. She said the people need not to panic. There is no shortage and the government is providing regular supplies. The people are getting home delivery as well, she added.
When asked about 25 days restrictions imposed by the Government for supplying LPG cylinder and consumers’ complaints regarding not getting on- line booking messages and even OTPs, the Director said it has been done to keep check on the black marketing and maintain smooth supply. The people have started dumping cylinders in panic. There is a need to keep check on this so that other genuine consumers do not suffer, she maintained.
Territorial Manager, Bharat Gas, Jammu Region- Manoj Kumar, however, denied any shortage of cooking gas. He claimed that company has sufficient quota and the agencies are also ensuring home delivery till now. He avoided to comment on the reduction in the supplies as claimed by several agency operators, but maintained that they are keeping vigil to discourage any black marketing or dumping of the LPG cylinders. Kumar said the single cylinder holders will get supply after 25 days and those keeping double, after 30 days. He claimed that they are also providing commercial supplies to the LPG outlets and have not received any complaint of shortage yet. On non-delivery of booking massages and OTP to the consumers, Kumar expressed his ignorance over the issue.
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