Consumers of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) cooking gas have complained about shortage of LPG and denial of home delivery by the fuel dealers.
Consumers in large numbers have been ringing Greater Kashmir regarding lack of LPG cylinders at cooking gas dealers. Adding to the burden of consumers, a major shortage of IOC cooking gas cylinders has been felt lately. “We are at the receiving end suffering a major shortage of cooking gas cylinders. I have been waiting for a refill for last two weeks but now dealer asks me to come and collect the cylinder,” said a Raj Bagh-based consumer. Similarly, IOC customers from Pulwama, Baramulla, Shopian, Kupwara, Bandipora and Gandarbal have also complained of shortage of LPG cylinders.
An IOC dealer, at the condition of anonymity accused the state government and oil marketing companies of “misleading” consumers about availability of LPG in Kashmir. “I have not received any fresh stock of LPG for last several days since IOC does not have refilling plant here and its stocks have been stranded on the highway. Prior to winter, oil marketing companies had promised government to keep buffer stocks of filled cylinders but have failed to do so,” he said.
An oil marketing company official said with resumption of traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway, the supply of cylinders is being gradually restored across Kashmir. “In such situations, HP lends support from Galander facility to IOC but due to highway closure and a subsequent massive demand of its own consumers HP can provide only a limited support to us. Apart from the supplies we have received from outside since last two to three days, we have been receiving few truckloads of cylinders after every few days from HP as well so that we can cater to the huge demand,” the official said.