Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the stock position of essential commodities and petroleum products across the Union Territory in view of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr and Navratri festivals as well as the prevailing geopolitical situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, senior administrative officials, Deputy Commissioners of all districts, and representatives of oil companies including Ashutosh Gupta, Executive Director of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Officials from outside stations participated through virtual mode.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the availability and supply of petroleum products, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other essential commodities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the officers, Omar Abdullah stressed that the administration must remain vigilant to ensure there is no artificial scarcity, hoarding or black marketing in any district. He said that while the Food and Supplies Department is performing its duties, the district administration must complement these efforts by maintaining close monitoring at the local level.
The Chief Minister directed all Deputy Commissioners to maintain strict oversight to ensure smooth supply and fair distribution of essential commodities. He emphasized that preventing hoarding and black marketing requires strong monitoring at the district level and urged officials to take the instructions seriously.
Highlighting the uncertain nature of the current international situation, Omar said the administration must stay alert for an extended period if necessary. He noted that the situation could last for days or weeks and therefore the administration should remain prepared to prevent any disruption in the supply of essential items.
The Chief Minister also directed the Information Department to regularly update the public about the stock position and availability of essential commodities to prevent rumours and panic buying. He said transparent communication would reassure people about adequate supplies and discourage those attempting to exploit the situation.
Omar Abdullah further instructed officials to closely monitor the availability of commercial LPG, especially in view of the ongoing Navratras, the upcoming Eid celebrations and the beginning of the tourist season. He asked the administration to consult stakeholders such as restaurant owners and hoteliers before making any adjustments to commercial LPG supply in view of the expected rise in tourist arrivals and festival-related demand.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo emphasised that Deputy Commissioners must ensure strict action against any instances of hoarding, black marketing or profiteering in their respective districts. He directed them to extend full support to the Legal Metrology Department and the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to ensure effective enforcement.
Commissioner Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Saurabh Bhagat presented a detailed report on the stock and supply position of petroleum products and LPG in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the presentation, despite global disruptions, the stock position of petrol, diesel and LPG in the Union Territory remains stable. Adequate reserves of these commodities are available at storage facilities and distribution points across the region.
The meeting was also informed that several regulatory measures have been implemented to ensure continuous availability and prevent misuse. The Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) system has been introduced to ensure LPG cylinders are delivered only to genuine consumers. Oil marketing companies have also launched an e-KYC verification campaign to identify inactive or duplicate LPG connections.
Regarding non-domestic LPG supplies, officials said a temporary cap of 20 percent of the average monthly consumption has been imposed while ensuring uninterrupted supply to essential institutions such as hospitals and educational establishments.
The meeting further noted that the Government of India has provided an ad-hoc allocation of 468 kilolitres of PDS Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) for cooking and lighting purposes, mainly targeting vulnerable groups including beneficiaries of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana.
