Relevance: Urgent
Subject: Petroleum Stock
Category: Energy
Satish Sharma Reviews Petroleum Stock Position in J&K, Calls for Ensuring Uninterrupted Supply
The Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Transport, IT, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the stock position and supply of petroleum products across Jammu and Kashmir, in light of the evolving situation in the Middle East.
Srinagar, March 11: The Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Transport, IT, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the stock position and supply of petroleum products across Jammu and Kashmir, in light of the evolving situation in the Middle East.
The meeting was convened to assess the availability of essential petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, kerosene, and LPG, and to evaluate preparedness in case of any potential supply disruptions arising from the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA, Saurabh Bhagat, Director FCS&CA Jammu/Kashmir, Rifat Kohli, Dr. Sagar Dattaraya, representatives from major oil marketing companies including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), along with officers from Legal Metrology and the department's finance and distribution wings, participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, the Minister conducted a detailed review of the current stock levels of petroleum products across the Union Territory, the operational status of fuel depots and LPG bottling plants, as well as the supply chain mechanism to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel to consumers.
Sharma emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate buffer stocks and strengthening coordination with oil companies to address any potential logistical challenges. He directed the concerned authorities to closely monitor the supply situation and ensure that there is no shortage of essential petroleum products in any district.
He also stressed the need for proactive planning and preparedness in light of the ongoing Middle East developments. He called upon oil companies and departmental officials to keep contingency plans ready and maintain constant communication to ensure smooth distribution and timely replenishment of stocks.
Reassuring the public, Sharma said that the government is fully vigilant and committed to safeguarding the interests of consumers. He maintained that the administration is closely monitoring the situation and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure that petroleum products remain readily available across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister further directed officials to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding, black marketing, or overcharging of petroleum products and LPG cylinders. He asked the Legal Metrology and enforcement teams to intensify inspections at fuel stations and LPG outlets to ensure compliance with regulations and consumer protection norms.