DC orders partial restoration of LPG supply

Ludhiana: In a bid to ease ongoing LPG shortage in the district, deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain on Monday directed oil marketing companies (OMCs) and LPG gas agencies to immediately restore supply of non-domestic LPG up to 50% of the pre-crisis level.The directions were issued during a meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner with representatives of oil marketing companies, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), as well as LPG gas agencies operating in the district.Jain ordered OMCs and gas agencies to resume non-domestic LPG supply without further delay. He warned that any complaint related to non-compliance of the directions would be dealt with strictly under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act.The deputy commissioner advised all industrial and commercial establishments to coordinate with gas agencies supplying 5kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders to ensure that workers and labourers do not have to wait in long queues. He clarified that only a photo identity card is required for obtaining FTL LPG cylinders and no address proof is required.Jain directed that industries submitting an undertaking regarding readiness to shift to piped natural gas (PNG) be supplied up to 70% of the pre-crisis level of non-domestic LPG. Such industries have been advised to coordinate with the district food and supplies controller (DFSC) office. He also instructed all non-domestic consumers to submit end-use certificates to their respective LPG distributors.To ensure proper monitoring and compliance, the deputy commissioner constituted a district-level committee, to be headed by the additional chief administrator, Glada, for supervision of LPG distribution in the district. He also said that the district administration has set up sector-wise control rooms to regulate LPG supply.For hospitals, designated officials are civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur and Sanjeev Kumar, superintendent, civil surgeon office. For educational institutions, officials include district education officer (secondary) Dimple Madan, deputy DEO Amandeep Singh and deputy DEO Manoj Kumar. For industrial canteens, the designated official is Angad Singh Sohi, general manager, district industries centre. For weddings, restaurants and dhabas in Ludhiana city, the officials are AFSO Cherry Bhatia and AFSO Nitin Kalia. For Raikot and Jagraon, the official is AFSO Beant Singh, while for Khanna, Samrala and Payal, the official is AFSO Harbhajan Singh.Jain warned that any instance of diversion or hoarding of LPG would lead to the registration of an FIR under the relevant provisions of law.Residents have been facing difficulties in procuring LPG cylinders since the shortage began, with several gas agencies witnessing long queues and complaints of possible hoarding and black marketing.