New Delhi, March 13 The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee on Friday sought the help of the petroleum minister to ensure a steady supply of LPG cylinders, so that the "langar" (community kitchen) service continues uninterrupted.
In a letter to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the DSGMC said that the war in West Asia has affected the langar service across gurdwaras due to the lack of LPG, as its supply has been "disrupted" by the gas agencies.
A DSGMC official said that although there is a piped natural gas supply in larger gurdwaras, the smaller ones depend on LPG cylinders to run their langar kitchens.
The DSGMC is a statutory body established under the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1971, which looks after the religious affairs of Sikhs and the upkeep of gurdwaras in the city.
The body manages several larger gurdwaras in the national capital, including Sheesh Ganj Sahib, Rakabganj, and Bangla Sahib, where food is served to thousands of people every day.
The letter was signed by DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka and general secretary Jagdip Singh Kahlon.
As a result of the war-induced LPG crisis, several restaurants and small eateries across Delhi have temporarily halted operations in the past few days.
From neighborhood cafes to roadside eateries, operators say that the disruption has slowed or forced some establishments to temporarily close, while others are trying to make the limited gas supplies they have left last longer.
The Delhi government on Thursday assured people that the supply of LPG, petrol, diesel, and piped natural gas in the city was normal, and urged them to refrain from panic buying or hoarding.
A statement from the Chief Minister's Office said that there was no shortage of fuel and officials were carrying out rigorous inspections to curb black marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders.