Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 31 Mar: Cabinet Minister, Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, Rekha Arya today chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the Vidhan Sabha auditorium to address the impact of global fuel supply chain disruptions on the state’s LPG availability. The meeting witnessed the presence of senior administrative officials, district-level officers, and representatives from major oil marketing companies, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL).
During the deliberations, Arya conducted a district-wise assessment of domestic and commercial gas supplies, the expansion of PNG pipelines, the availability of petrol and diesel, and the progress of CNG infrastructure. A significant portion of the meeting was also dedicated to enforcing measures against black marketing, hoarding, and profiteering, alongside reviewing health and logistics preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra.
Commenting on the deliberations held during the meeting, Rekha Arya asserted that there is sufficient supply of gas and the fuel across Uttarakhand at present. She also quoted data in support of her claim. As per the data presented during the review, Uttarakhand currently services approximately 35,55,569 domestic gas connections and 60,976 commercial connections across the three major oil companies. As of 30 March 2026, the state maintains a robust stock of 80,861 domestic cylinders and 12,146 commercial cylinders. Arya claimed that there is no immediate crisis regarding gas availability. Current supply protocols align with central government standards, ensuring cylinder delivery within 25 days for urban consumers and 45 days for rural residents. Furthermore, uninterrupted supplies are being guaranteed for essential commercial entities such as hospitals and educational institutions, with all active legal connections receiving their required quotas. In the plains, door-to-door delivery is being facilitated through online bookings, while mountainous regions are being served via a structured roster system to maintain a satisfactory supply chain.
With a view to streamlining consumer services, Arya directed the officials to ensure that all new applications for gas connections are processed within 24 hours of submission. The state government is also pivoting towards long-term energy security by promoting Piped Natural Gas (PNG) in plain districts to alleviate the pressure on LPG resources, and the minister confirmed that formal correspondence with the Government of India would be initiated to further this objective. Regarding automotive fuels, the review found the availability of petrol and diesel across the state to be stable with no reported shortages. To deter illegal trade practices, the minister reviewed district-wise punitive actions, noting that 15 FIRs have been registered and 173 raids conducted across the state, resulting in penalties amounting to nearly Rs 90,000 imposed on offenders.
Addressing a specific grievance regarding delivery timelines, Arya noted that several areas recently incorporated into municipal limits are still classified as rural in oil company records, thereby forcing the residents to wait 45 days for refills instead of the 25-day urban standard. She assured that the state would take up this classification issue with the central government to provide relief to these residents.
Among those present at the meeting were Principal Secretary L Fanai, Secretary and Commissioner Anand Swarup, and Additional Commissioner PS Pangti, while District Supply Officers (DSOs) from across Uttarakhand joined the proceedings via video conferencing.
