Orders strict monitoring, action against violators
Jammu, Apr 09: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with the concerned Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners and District Administrations to review the availability and distribution of essential commodities across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in light of the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia, with the aim of ensuring adequate buffering against any potential supply chain disruptions.
Comprehensive data presented during the meeting indicated that the UT currently maintains stable stocks of Motor Spirit (Petrol), High-Speed Diesel (HSD) and LPG, supplemented by significant stock in transit to further strengthen reserves.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed public grievances registered through helplines and their disposal by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and district administrations, while emphasizing the need for intensified IEC campaigns and strict inspections across districts to prevent hoarding, overpricing and black marketing of essential commodities, including fertilizers and food grains. He underscored the importance of ensuring 70 percent supply to commercial and industrial sectors in both divisions and called for expediting e-KYC of all active consumers.
Commissioner Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Saurabh Bhagat, informed that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure smooth supply across the UT, including availability of 5 kg LPG cylinders for migrant populations and labourers, and issuance of orders to ensure 70 percent supply to commercial and industrial establishments in accordance with Government of India guidelines.
For Jammu Division, the Divisional Commissioner, Ramesh Kumar apprised that the Division has an availability of 7,325 KL of Petrol and 27,241 KL of Diesel, besides maintaining a robust 49-day cover for Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) and 12 days for Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), thereby ensuring uninterrupted essential services. Districts including Udhampur, Kathua and Doda reported strong stock levels, while Kishtwar and Ramban are being closely monitored to continuously replenish their 3–4 day buffers through transit supplies.
He further added that the division currently has 47,296 LPG cylinders in stock, and over the past 10 days, 7,769 cylinders were delivered to the consumers. The Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to bridge this delivery-demand gap to avoid any disruption to industrial and commercial activities.
For Kashmir Division, the Divisional Commissioner, Anshul Garg informed the meeting that the Kashmir Division currently holds 7,721 KL of Petrol and 13,487 KL of Diesel, which along with transit stocks provides a reserve cover of 19 days for Petrol and 21 days for Diesel, while LPG reserves stand at 4,072 MT ensuring a 16-day cover.
He further made out that District-wise assessments indicated stable availability, with districts such as Srinagar, Anantnag and Pulwama maintaining consistent consumption patterns and an average of five days of immediate local storage supported by divisional reserves. A total of 148,769 LPG cylinders are currently available in the division, and between April 1 and April 8, 4,987 cylinders were delivered.
Moreover he added that the administration is closely monitoring supply to ensure that tourism, hospitality and other commercial activities remain unaffected, with directions issued to bridge any emerging demand-supply gaps, he
During this meeting the Deputy Commissioners presented the status of supply and distribution of LPG, automobile fuels and food grains across their districts, including residential institutions and labour populations, along with details of enforcement actions taken against violators and progress in grievance redressal.
The Chief Secretary directed district administrations to strictly monitor market prices to prevent hoarding and overcharging under the pretext of international developments and to ensure seamless last-mile delivery of LPG and other essential commodities, particularly in remote and far-flung areas, while reassuring the public that the UT is well-prepared with sufficient reserves and that there is no need for panic as existing stock levels and supplies in transit are adequate to maintain normalcy across Jammu & Kashmir.
