The North News
Chandigarh, March 12
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday chaired a meeting with senior officers of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and officials of oil companies here to review the situation of cooking gas and fuel supply across the state.
During the meeting, officials of oil companies informed that supply of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG is normal at present, with adequate stock available with the firms, according to an official statement.
Officials said the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued necessary directions on March 9 to ensure the supply of domestic LPG to priority sectors, and to maintain its availability and proper distribution.
According to oil company officials, gas supplies are being received continuously. However, there is a temporary disruption in the supply of commercial cylinders, the statement said.
Educational institutions and hospitals are being prioritised for supply of commercial cylinders, while oil companies are making efforts to ensure supply to other sectors as well, it added.
The government has also ensured that the supply of domestic LPG remains uninterrupted.
To prevent hoarding or black marketing, necessary directions have been issued to all deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, and district food and supplies controllers across the state.
As some people began panic booking domestic gas cylinders amid concerns that the widening West Asia conflict could disrupt energy supplies, the state government has appealed to the public not to pay attention to rumours regarding LPG supply, and avoid unnecessary panic or stocking, as the supply of essential petroleum products in the state is smooth and adequate.
Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh, however, said, “People who are already suffering from rising inflation are now facing a double burden due to increasing prices and shortage of LPG cylinders. This has completely disturbed the household budget.”
The shortage of domestic LPG cylinders in Haryana is extremely worrying, Singh said in a statement, alleging that long queues are being witnessed outside gas agencies.
According to directions issued by the Centre, a minimum gap of 25 days has now been made mandatory between domestic cylinder bookings, while the supply of commercial cylinders has been halted until further orders, Singh said.
“In addition, around 250 gas-based textile and handloom industries in Panipat have reportedly shut down. Prices of polyester yarn have increased by nearly 20 per cent, and businesses related to the food sector are also facing a severe crisis. If timely solutions are not found, both general public and industries may suffer heavy losses,” he claimed.
He said the Congress has demanded that the Centre take immediate and concrete steps — boost LPG production, reduce prices, ensure smooth supply, and protect the public from hardship.
“This crisis is not limited to Haryana alone but is being felt across the country, with fears that hotels and restaurants in several cities may face closures. The government must prioritise energy security, public welfare, and alternative import sources, and take swift action,” he said.
AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda said in several states, long queues are forming outside gas agencies, and hotels, dhabas, restaurants, and small businesses have reached the brink of closure.
Referring to the situation in Haryana, Dhanda said conditions in several districts are extremely alarming.
“In cities such as Rohtak, Kaithal, Sirsa, Ambala, Panipat, and Karnal, the supply of commercial gas cylinders has come to a near standstill. In many districts, long queues are forming outside gas agencies, and people are having to wait for 20 to 25 days to receive a cylinder,” he said.
He noted that the wedding season is currently underway across the country. Under these circumstances, if gas supplies continue to be disrupted, people may even be forced to postpone family functions.
Emergency measures must be implemented by the government to normalise LPG supply without delay, thereby safeguarding both kitchens of common citizens and small businesses, he said.
