Guj govt forms panel to ensure adequate gas to citizens

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat govt has formed a committee under the chief secretary to coordinate with the Union govt to ensure adequate supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to households and that citizens do not face any shortage."The committee will coordinate with the Centre and continuously review the situation to ensure an adequate gas supply. The state govt was already working closely with the Union govt in this regard," state govt spokesperson Jitu Vaghani told the media outside the assembly on Wednesday.Earlier, state energy and petrochemicals minister Rushikesh Patel said that in view of the crisis in West Asia, the state govt, in consultation with the Union govt, has decided to slash gas supply by 50% to industries and by about 40% to fertilizer and milk processing units so that domestic consumers do not face shortage.Vaghani stressed that the supply of cooking gas cylinders will not be disrupted, adding that the Union and state govts are working to secure about 80% of the supply of commercial gas cylinders. "The Union govt started placing advance orders for gas cargoes from West Africa and the the United States instead of relying solely on Middle Eastern nations. The new supplies are expected to start arriving in India shortly," he said.Urging citizens not to believe rumours about gas shortage, he asked them to avoid hoarding. He added that was an international crisis, and necessary measures were being taken to prevent disruption.