Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 28 Mar: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting to ensure the seamless supply of gas (LPG), fuel, and other essential commodities across the State in light of current global circumstances. The meeting witnessed comprehensive discussions regarding the availability of domestic and commercial gas, the specific requirements of hospitals, educational institutions, and industries, and the projected increase in demand during the forthcoming Char Dham Yatra.
Key subjects discussed and addressed included the current status of fertilisers, the expansion of PNG pipelines, CNG supply, the enforcement of controls against black marketing and hoarding, the management of rumours, and the strategic development of alternative energy sources.
During the meeting, the CS asserted that the State possesses an adequate supply of gas and other essential items, and there is absolutely no shortage. He appealed to the general public not to get panicky. He remarked that the present situation should be viewed as an opportunity to transition towards green energy to reduce reliance on foreign imports and to achieve the national carbon-neutral objective by 2070. He also urged all the departments concerned to accelerate the adoption of alternative energy sources within the domestic, industrial and the transport sectors. To manage the Char Dham Yatra effectively, the Tourism and Supply Departments were instructed to produce accurate demand forecasts for gas and to coordinate closely with the Central Government to secure additional fuel supplies.
The Chief Secretary also ordered strict enforcement action to curb the black marketing of gas, crude oil and the fertilisers. He also issued a directive for enhanced surveillance and monitoring in districts sharing a border with Nepal. With respect to the agricultural sector, Bardhan instructed that the unnecessary hoarding of urea must be prevented and that fertiliser distribution should be linked to Agri-tech, farmer registries, and actual cultivation data to prevent any potential misuse. Furthermore, the District Magistrates (DMs) have been directed to provide immediate clearances for PNG pipeline projects and to encourage the use of pipeline-based gas and green energy in various industrial sectors, including pharmaceuticals.
To ensure the dissemination of factual information and to effectively counter rumours, instructions were also given to hold daily press briefings at both state and district levels. The CS also advocated for the promotion of pine needle briquettes, biogas plants, solar stoves, and solar cookers, making it mandatory for the municipal bodies to expand biogas infrastructure. In the transport department, an emphasis was placed on the adoption of electric vehicles for both public and private use to transition the sector towards a green energy foundation.
In a significant related, a dedicated assistance mechanism was also set up for Uttarakhand residents stranded in Gulf countries and the Middle East and Special Secretary Nivedita Kukreti was designated as the state-level nodal officer. To maintain a robust supply chain, the CS ordered constant monitoring of gas agencies and distributors, including the daily verification of stock registers, and mandated that additional gas provisions be made available for social events such as weddings. Among those present at the meeting included Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth, Principal Secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram, and Principal Secretary L Fanai, along with senior representatives from oil companies including IOC, BPCL, and HPCL, while the DMS and other related participated via video conferencing.
