AP group of ministers review LPG stocks, assures public of steady cooking gas availability

Vijayawada: The group of ministers (GoM) committee constituted to monitor the impact of the Middle East crisis said on Saturday that there is no need for the public to panic over the availability of cooking gas in the state, assuring that both the Centre and the state are taking steps to ensure uninterrupted supply and minimise inconvenience to consumers.The GoM, which met at the civil supplies corporation office, took stock of the LPG supply situation in the state. Earlier, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with ministers and senior officials and directed them to review and monitor the situation on a real-time basis. Finance minister Payyavula Keshav, who is part of the GoM along with civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar and agriculture minister K Atchennaidu, said the state govt is doing everything it can to minimise the impact of the US-Iran war on people by addressing the short supply of LPG.The GoM, along with representatives of oil marketing companies (OMCs), reviewed the stock positions, orders to be filled, and the steps being taken to contain black marketeering of cooking gas cylinders. Keshav warned of stringent action against those hoarding gas cylinders and selling them in the black.The GoM took a decision to move forward with a structured approach based on real-time data analysis to prevent any disruption to consumers. Warning against black marketing, Keshav said strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to exploit the situation. He said control rooms have been set up at RTGS and district collectorates, and efforts are being made to increase OTP-based deliveries and online bookings.He said special focus was being placed on piped natural gas as an alternative, noting that projects initiated earlier in cities such as Vijayawada have proved to be useful. "There was some disruption in the supply chain due to the war initially. The Union govt is taking steps to bring back normalcy and has been exploring alternative routes to restore the systems. Refineries across the country have been directed to increase gas production by reducing output of other petroleum products, which is expected to raise LPG production by 10 to 20 percent. The priority is to ensure uninterrupted supply for households, hospitals, and hostels," he added.The minister said cylinder booking norms are in place, allowing refills once every 25 days in urban areas, 45 days in rural areas, and once every 32 days for double-cylinder consumers. He appealed to people not to believe rumours and said the govt is working sincerely to reduce hardships and losses.