Srinagar, Nov 8: Succumbing to the pressure from State Government, oil companies operating here have agreed to distribute LPG at Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department outlets Monday onwards. Earlier the companies had refused to abide by the Government directive.
The decision was taken at a meeting of officials of oil companies with gas dealers. “Officials of oil companies in consultation with our higher officials decided to follow the directions of State Government and High Court for making available LPG cylinders at CAPD outlets,” said an executive of an oil company who was present in the meeting.
He said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere where every aspect regarding the distribution of LPG was discussed.
“It was impressed upon the gas distributors to make available LPG cylinders at every CAPD outlet coming under their catchment area,” he added.
Oil companies directed gas dealers to expedite the process of verification and updating the information of consumers on the online servers of respective companies.
“Gas dealers were asked to provide all type of assistance to the consumers so that they don’t face any inconvenience,” he said.

DEALERS RESENT POLICE ROLE:
During the meeting, the gas dealers, however, expressed their resentment on the decision of State Government of involving police in the distribution of gas.
“We have a full fledged CAPD department that looks after the distribution of food items and essential commodities, we fail to understand why the Government has involved police in the distribution of gas,” the dealers said.
They said: “Involvement of police in the distribution process will further aggravate our problems. Police officials demand subsidized gas cylinders from us at every distribution point and making them monitor the process will give them a free hand to take as many cylinders as they want.”
“The behavior of cops has been very rude towards the gas dealers and consumers,” the dealers said, demanding that State Government should revoke its order.
Day before yesterday, the State Government decided to bank on police to tackle the LPG crisis in fuel-starved Kashmir and directed cops to supervise distribution of cooking gas cylinders.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST