Shimla fuel supply review: No Shortage of LPG, Petrol or Diesel, says DC
Shimla, March 12,
The Shimla district administration on Thursday carried out a Shimla fuel supply review and confirmed that there is no shortage of domestic LPG, petrol or diesel in the district.
This action came day after the Himachal Pradesh government reviewed the state’s fuel supply situation amid concerns arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Deputy Commissioner Shimla Anupam Kashyap said there was no shortage of domestic LPG, petrol or high-speed diesel in the district, and supply was continuing normally. He appealed to the public not to engage in unnecessary hoarding of petroleum products or cooking gas.
The Deputy Commissioner chaired a meeting with all Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) of the district through video conferencing to review the supply and distribution of fuel and LPG. Representatives of oil marketing companies also participated in the meeting.
Kashyap said that considering the prevailing situation, oil marketing companies have taken certain precautionary measures regarding LPG supply. At present, commercial LPG cylinders used by hotels, restaurants and other establishments are being supplied on priority to hospitals and educational institutions to ensure that essential services remain unaffected.
He indicated that other commercial establishments may face temporary restrictions in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders. As an alternative arrangement, such establishments have been advised to submit their demand for kerosene or coal to the office of the District Controller, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Shimla, so that supplies can be arranged as per requirement.
However, the Deputy Commissioner reiterated that domestic LPG cylinders, petrol and diesel are available in adequate quantities in the district and regular supply is continuing.
He also urged the public not to panic or make unnecessary purchases of LPG cylinders or petroleum products, warning that such actions could create artificial shortages and inconvenience other consumers.
The district administration also informed that domestic LPG cylinders can currently be booked only after an interval of 25 days, and consumers should follow the prescribed booking schedule.
To ensure proper monitoring, the Deputy Commissioner directed all SDMs to hold meetings with petrol pump operators and LPG distributors in their respective areas and review the supply position on a daily basis. They were also instructed to verify stock availability at fuel stations and monitor reserved quotas.
Officials were further asked to check whether domestic LPG cylinders are being illegally used by hotels and commercial establishments, and to assess the demand for kerosene in their jurisdictions.
The administration has also directed that petrol and diesel should not be sold in cans at petrol pumps, in order to prevent hoarding.
The district administration said it was maintaining close coordination with oil marketing companies to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential fuels across the district.
The meeting was attended by SDM Shimla Rural Manjit Sharma, SDM Shimla Urban Oshin Sharma, District Controller Food and Civil Supplies Narendra Dhiman, FSO Anita Thakur and other officials.
The development follows a state-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, who had earlier said that Himachal Pradesh currently has adequate stock of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG, though the supply of commercial LPG cylinders has been slightly affected due to the prevailing international situation.
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