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Odisha Minister Assures Ample Fuel Supply Amid Panic, Warns Against Hoarding

Odisha's Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra chaired a high-level meeting to review the availability of LPG, petrol, and diesel, assuring the public of adequate stock. He directed officials to ensure smooth distribution and instructed district collectors to submit daily supply reports. The minister issued a strong warning against black marketing and hoarding, stating that raids and legal action would follow any reports. This comes amid complaints of shortages from some residents and a ruckus by opposition MLAs in the state assembly over LPG price hikes and alleged scarcity.

Key Points: Odisha Assures Adequate LPG, Fuel Supply; Warns Against Hoarding

  • Minister reviews fuel supply chain
  • Daily district reports ordered
  • Stern warning against hoarding
  • Opposition created ruckus in assembly
  • Some residents still report shortages
3 min read

Odisha minister assures adequate LPG, fuel supply amid concerns

Odisha minister Krushna Patra reviews fuel supply, assures sufficient stock, and warns against black marketing amid public concerns and assembly uproar.

"advised people not to panic over the supply of liquefied petroleum gas, petrol and diesel - Krushna Chandra Patra"

Bhubaneswar, March 12

Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Thursday advised people not to panic over the supply of liquefied petroleum gas, petrol and diesel across the state, assuring that there is sufficient stock of these fuels.

The minister chaired a high-level meeting at Lokseva Bhavan here to review the availability and supply chain of LPG, petrol and diesel across the state.

"The minister conducted a thorough review of the distribution process to LPG distributors and retail outlets, directing officials to remain vigilant so that consumers do not face any hardship. To ensure seamless monitoring, district collectors have been instructed to submit daily reports on the supply situation in their respective regions," according to an official statement issued on Thursday.

During the meeting, Patra assured the public that there is adequate stock of cooking gas and fuel available in the state. He advised the people of Odisha not to succumb to panic or anxiety regarding the supply situation.

Addressing global concerns, the minister urged residents to remain alert but calm despite the ongoing developments in West Asia.

Patra also issued a stern warning against black marketing and hoarding, stating that departmental officers have been deployed to conduct raids. He further instructed that strict legal action be taken immediately upon receiving reports of such illegal activities.

The meeting was attended by Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of the Supplies Department; K. Sudarshan Chakraborty, Managing Director of the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation; and senior officials of the department, along with representatives from major oil and fuel marketing companies including IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, Reliance and GAIL.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh said that collectors of each district have been directed to provide daily reports on the requirement and availability of LPG, petrol and diesel.

Marketing officers have also been tasked with monitoring sensitive government institutions such as SCB Medical College in Cuttack and various educational institutions.

Singh reaffirmed that the state government is taking all necessary steps to ensure that domestic consumers do not face disruptions in their daily lives.

Notably, a ruckus by opposition BJD and Congress MLAs over the recent hike in LPG cylinder prices and the alleged shortage of cooking gas rocked the Odisha Assembly on Thursday, forcing multiple adjournments.

Meanwhile, despite repeated assurances by the state government regarding adequate stock, some residents and hotel owners across the state have complained about a shortage of LPG.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Assurances are fine, but the ground reality in my town is different. My mother had to wait 3 extra days for an LPG refill last week. The government needs to ensure supply reaches the last mile, not just sit in meetings in Bhubaneswar.
S
Sarah B
The mention of monitoring SCB Medical College is crucial. Hospitals must have uninterrupted supply. This is a sensible measure. Hope other states are also preparing contingency plans given the global situation in West Asia.
A
Aman W
The price hike is the real problem, bhai! Even if there is stock, how will common people afford it? The assembly ruckus shows public anger. Government should focus on subsidy or price control, not just supply chain.
K
Kavya N
As a small hotel owner in Puri, I can confirm the complaints. We are facing delays and irregular supply. Daily reports are good, but action on those reports is what matters. We need a helpline for genuine commercial users.
V
Vikram M
The minister's advice not to panic is key. Often, the shortage is artificial, created by hoarding after people hear such news. Let's be responsible citizens and trust the system while holding it accountable. Jai Hind!

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