Srinagar, Nov 5: After strictures by the High Court over the current LPG crisis, the State Government Monday decided that cooking gas would be distributed at Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department outlets across the Valley. The move comes in the backdrop of hugely disproportionate dealer-consumer ratio in the valley that has exacerbated the gas crisis after the announcement of new LPG policy.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Samoon said, “In the wake of recent directions by Hon’ble High Court, now cooking gas will be available at around 2100 CAPD outlets across the valley. This arrangement will be in place till the required number of new LPG outlets are opened.”
“For vehicles running on gas, it would be available at all petrol pumps across the valley,” he said.
Samoon said that directions have been passed to all Deputy Commissioners to implement the directive in letter and spirit.
Samoon said task forces would be constituted in every district with District Superintendent of Police monitoring the gas and kerosene distribution.
He said that there will be control rooms at every district headquarter and the consumers should feel free to register their grievances there. “We assure complaint redress in 24 hours,” he said.
The Divisional Commissioner said that Superintendent of Police, Srinagar-Jammu Highway, has been asked to clear the vehicles carrying gas and kerosene to Valley on priority basis. “He has also been asked to keep count of such vehicles and pass on information to us,” the Divisional Commissioner said.
Dr Samoon said that administration will identify the areas that remain cut from district/block headquarters during snowfall. “We will stock gas and other essential commodities in these places so that people there don’t face any problem,” he said.
According to Samoon, they have also made mandatory for kerosene dealers to get certificate of receipt from the Mohalla/Auqaf Committee. “This measure will check sale of kerosene in open market,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST