Police being deployed to control rush at gas outlets
We have sufficient stocks of LPG, petrol, diesel: SLC
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 14: Amidst LPG crisis in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the consumers are unable to make online booking of domestic/ commercial gas cylinders and receive booking SMS or the OTP from the concerned HPCL, IOCL and BPCL Companies, while police assistance is being sought by the gas agency dealers to control the huge rush and deal with the law and order situation.
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Reports reaching from various districts in the Jammu region and parts of Kashmir said that not only in the Jammu and Srinagar cities, the situation is also grim in various Districts, Sub Divisional and the Tehsil headquarters. Long queues of consumers are often seen at the LPG outlets. Reports of heated exchanges/arguments and clash between the consumers and the agency staff, are also being received from various areas. Unable to control the increasing rush, the gas agencies managements are requesting the district administration to deploy policemen to deal with the law and order situation.
The Excelsior teams visited various agencies in Jammu and some other districts and gathered the public feedback about the crisis. Many people disclosed that they had booked the online gas cylinder but are not receiving SMS or the OTP on their mobile phones. Some of the people said that they are unable to make online booking as there seems to be some problem in the company system. Even some consumers told that gas agency staff members are asking to collect cylinders from the outlet as they will not be able to ensure home delivery due to shortage and heavy rush. But on reaching the agency, they were told that there was no gas and come on Monday. There is no accountability at all.
Some of the Managers at the outlets without being quoted revealed that their quota has been reduced by the respective companies and even they are unable to punch on the system due to breakdown quite often. They said due to non-receipt of messages and OTPs while making online bookings, the consumers rush to the agency, quarrel with the staff and abuse them. They do not have the sufficient staff to handle huge rush and are compelled to seek police help. Even some of the staff members were manhandled in Jammu district during last two days, they claimed.
On the issue of commercial cylinders supply, they said the companies have stopped it from the last 5-6 days. The concerned company officials do not give definite reason for it. But only assure that it will be regulated shortly. They said about 65 % of the supply in the region is being catered by the HPCL while, rest of the supplies by the IOLC and BPCL companies. In Jammu alone there are about 28 outlets, out of which 16 belong to IOCL and BPCL. The BPCL has hardly three gas outlets in Jammu. They said worst is the condition in districts like Kishtwar, Doda, Poonch, Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, Udhampur etc. The people are facing hardships and they are not able to get LPG cylinders there.
Some of the hotel, restaurant, Dhaba, tea- stall owners and Halwais alleged that they are not getting commercial cylinders for the last some days as the gas agency operators are telling that they are not receiving the regular commercial supply from the Oil companies. The supplies from Bari Brahmana Plant, Lalru near Ambala have slowed down with the impact of war in Gulf countries. These people said that they are forced to use alternate fuel for running their outlets.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar when contacted said the people do not need to be panic. He said the oil companies have sufficient stock of the LPG. The officials from Food and Supplies and Legal Metrology Deptt and Oil Companies are jointly monitoring the supplies at the gas outlets. District level teams have also been constituted to check the black marketing and hoarding. He said there is no shortage and the government is providing regular supplies. The concerned Deputy Commissioners are also closely monitoring the supplies, he added.
State Level Coordinator (SLC) of the Oil/LPG Marketing Companies (IOC/HPCL/BPCL), Himanshu Sharma said they have sufficient stocks of LPG, petrol and diesel in the Jammu and Kashmir and the UT of Ladakh. He said people have turned panicky and are resorting to hoarding and dumping oil and gas. Sharma said they have sufficient supplies for the next 15 days as per dumping capacity with them in the godowns. The tankers are arriving from plants at Bari Brahamana and Lalru near Ambala to the godowns. In view of ongoing war, the people are in panic and trying to dump the cylinders. Therefore, the rider of 30 days has been enforced for the booking.
On being asked about consumers’ complaints regarding not getting on- line booking messages and even OTP, Himanshu said it has been done to keep check on the black marketing and hoarding. 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. Only those making booking after 30 days are able to do online booking and get SMS, OTP etc. The others will not have the access. The system is being up-graded and those making booking before 25/30 days will get a message of denial as the system will identify such consumers.
Referring to the commercial cylinders supply, the SLC said this sale is being regulated. These consumers will start getting supply shortly. Many of them are already getting the supply smoothly. Joint teams have been constituted to check the black-marketing/ dumping and all measures are being made to maintain smooth supply, he said.
Sharma further claimed that as the companies make winter stocking in Ladakh, Kashmir and many parts of Jammu region, therefore, there is no shortage of fuel here. From Pampore LPG Plant, sufficient supply is being ensured in Kashmir while the tankers are also regularly being sent from Jammu (BD Bari) to Valley. He said there are 217 LPG outlets (For private supply) and 757 petrol pumps in J&K. Adequate dedicated supplies to the Army, Paramilitary Forces, J&K Police, orphanages, old age homes, Ashrams etc are also being ensured without any problem, the SLC added.
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