Govt mulling one gas agency at each block: Akhoon

JAMMU: In order to provide adequate supply of cooking gas to the people of the state especially those living in far-flung rural areas, the centre has agreed to set up gas agencies at block level shortly.
This was stated by the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) Mr. Qamar Ali Akhoon while chairing a joint meeting of high level officers and representatives of various oil companies and consumer council members here today. The meeting was convened to take stock of stock and storage and supply position of LPG in the state.
Commissioner/Secretary CA&PD Mr. Pradeep Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. Sanjay Verma, Directors of CA&PD for Kashmir and Jammu Mr. A. W.Tak and Mr. Parvez Malik, State Level Coordinator of Oil Industry Mr. R. C. Sharaf, Deputy Controller Legal Metrology Mr. Manoj Prabhakar, Deputy Controller Consumer Protection Mr. V. S. Sambyal, President Consumers Protection Organization Mr. D. R. Danish, President JK LPG Distributors Association Mr. Sidharath Sharma representatives of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HP) Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Bharat Petroleum, Chamber of traders federation, Kashmir traders and manufacturers federation, K. Oil dealers association, civil society members and prominent citizens participated in the meeting.
The Minister said that one gas agency is proposed to be set up in the hamlets having a population of above 600 souls, adding that providing basic amenities to the consumers at their doorsteps is priority of the government.
Mr. Akhoon called upon the Oil Companies to make available adequate stock of LPG cylinders and their further distribution to the consumers in various parts of the Valley. He stressed upon the authorities to strengthened the home delivery system and also upgrade the spot delivery system so that the consumers may not face any problem for want of gas supply.
The Minister exhorted upon the concerned authorities to intensify market checking to check black marketing and pilferage of domestic gas adding that use of domestic gas for commercial purpose should not be allowed at any cost.
Mr Akhoon asked Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPC) to enhance their storage capacity at Srinagar for regular supply of gas to Anantnag and Kulgam districts which is presently being supplied from Jammu thus hampering smooth supplies during winter due to closer of road.
The meeting was informed that Indian Oil Corporation has issued 4 lakh domestic gas connections and 4000 commercial gas connections to the consumers in the state so far. The company has started verification of genuine connections all over the state to trace out the illegal connections which will be cancelled by the company.
It was given out in the meeting that Oil Industry are contemplating to set up 3 CNG bottling plants in the State for which 2 sites have been identified one each in Kashmir Valley and Jammu.
The Directors of CA&PD Kashmir and Jammu gave detailed resume of stock position of LPG and other essential commodities in their respective divisions.