Jammu, March 11 Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Satish Sharma chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review the stock and supply of petroleum products, including LPG, across the Union territory in view of the escalating crisis in West Asia.
The meeting was convened to assess the availability of essential petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, kerosene, and LPG, as well as to evaluate preparedness in case of potential supply disruptions arising from ongoing geopolitical tensions, an official spokesman said.
He said that legislators Zafar Khatana, Saif Ud din Bhat, and Shafi Wani, FCS&CA Commissioner Secretary Saurabh Bhagat, FCS&CA Jammu Director Rifat Kohli, FCS&CA Kashmir Sagar Dattaraya, along with officers from the Department of Legal Metrology and its finance and distribution wings, participated in the meeting.
Representatives of major oil marketing companies, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), were also present.
The minister took a detailed review of the current stock of petroleum products across the Union territory, the operational status of fuel depots and LPG bottling plants, as well as the supply chain 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 concerned authorities to closely monitor the supply situation and ensure there is no shortage of essential petroleum products in any district, the spokesman said.
The minister also stressed the need for proactive planning and preparedness in light of the emerging developments in West Asia.
He called upon oil companies and officials to keep contingency plans ready and maintain constant communication to ensure smooth distribution and timely replenishment of stocks.
Reassuring the public, Sharma said the government is fully vigilant and committed to safeguarding the interests of consumers.
"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," he said.
The minister directed officials to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding, black marketing, or overcharging of petroleum products and LPG cylinders.
He asked legal metrology and enforcement teams to intensify inspections of fuel stations and LPG outlets to ensure compliance with regulations and consumer protection norms.