Jammu, Apr 2:  Consumer Affairs Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon today convened a meeting of officers of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department and representatives of Oil Companies to discuss measures for streamlining the supply of cooking gas in the state.
 The meeting discussed the complaints with regard the “massive black-marketing” of domestic gas by the agencies in Jammu and Srinagar cities exposing the household consumers to great inconvenience.
 The Minister, according to an official statement, asked the oil company representatives to check the menace of black-marketing by the agencies and initiate strict action against those found indulging in any type of illegal activities.   
 The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Director, CAPD Jammu Parvaiz Ahmad Malik, Special Secretary CAPD M. I. Ashai, State Level Coordinator Indian Oil Companies R. K.Sahab and representatives of Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil Corporation.
 The meeting discussed the problems related to shifting of depots for bulk storage of petroleum from near Jammu Railway station to Samba in detail and it was decided that CAPD Jammu “will place indent with the Deputy Commissioner, Samba on behalf of Oil Companies for acquisition of land.”
 It was also decided in the meeting that the Oil companies will pay the cost of land to CAPD in full in advance. After acquisition of land the same shall be leased out to Oil Companies for developing the storage capacities.
Minister dissatisfied
 Expressing his dissatisfaction over the slow work on 15 day storage capacity (second phase) Bottling Plant at Pampore, Akhoon stressed for early completion of the same to help the state to overcome the problems it face in maintaining the LPG supply to the valley.
 He stressed the need for completion of the augmentation work by engaging extra men so that the Plant is commissioned as early as possible.
 “The closure of Highway should not be taken as main excuse for hampering the work which is already delayed” said the Minister.
 Regarding setting up of gas agencies at block level in the state in three phases, Akhoon instructed the representative of Oil Companies to complete the process for setting up of Gas Agencies at Block level in first phase for which the applications   have already been invited by the Oil Companies of India.
 He also stressed for expediting the advertisement process for the II and III phases to ensure that the agencies are set up as early as possible.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 3 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST