Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Following an assessment of the supply situation and a meeting of the State Crisis Management Group (SCMG) at Lok Seva Bhawan, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg declared on Monday that there is no scarcity of cooking gas (LPG), fuel, or gasoline in the state. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of the Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department, said at the meeting that the state’s supply of petroleum goods and LPG has been regular despite recent unfavorable circumstances. Participants included representatives from many oil marketing firms, such as Indian Oil Corporation Limited, who informed the group about the state of the supply.
It was reported that gas stations around the state are operating as usual. In the past, oil corporations have taken coordinated preventive actions to address transitory shortages in specific places. Additionally, the government has made residential LPG distribution a top priority. In urban areas, cooking gas is delivered within 21 to 25 days, whereas in rural regions, it takes 45 days. District-by-district efforts are being made to increase the usage of piped natural gas (PNG), and business and governmental organizations have been encouraged to switch from LPG to PNG. Additionally, the city’s gas distribution system is being extended.
Upon presenting legitimate identity documents, 38,681 free 5-kg LPG cylinders were given to students and refugees. 7,662 unlawfully stored cylinders were confiscated as part of enforcement actions against smugglers and black marketers. These cylinders have been given to oil marketing firms so they may be included into the supply chain. Eight people have been detained, while 36 more have been the subject of legal action.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviewed the situation, emphasized the necessity of a continuous supply of gasoline, diesel, and LPG, and instructed officials to bolster monitoring systems and take severe measures against illicit stockists. She also emphasized the need of keeping emergency supplies on hand for police operations and ambulances. Following the meeting, she urged people not to panic or engage in hoarding, claiming that according to oil firms’ assessments, there is no fuel or cooking gas scarcity. She advised people to buy fuel in accordance with their typical needs.
