Gangtok, March 30 Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Monday emphasized the need for increased vigilance regarding the availability of essential commodities in the Himalayan state and directed officials to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and strictly curb hoarding, black marketing, and overpricing.
Chairing a high-level review meeting to assess the stock position and distribution of essential commodities across Sikkim, he said that it was necessary to ensure the seamless and uninterrupted availability of essential commodities throughout the state.
The chief minister emphasized the need for increased vigilance and issued directives to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and strictly curb hoarding, black marketing, and overpricing of commodities, an official said.
Tamang said that district administrations and law enforcement agencies have been tasked with maintaining constant oversight.
A dedicated 24×7 helpline will be established, while control rooms at both state and district levels are being reinforced to ensure equitable distribution through regular, real-time reporting.
The CM directed officials to proactively put in place alternative arrangements across both urban and rural areas.
Equal emphasis has been placed on strengthening public communication through media, radio, and social platforms to keep citizens well-informed, discourage panic buying, and effectively counter misinformation.
"The focus remains on maintaining a stable and resilient supply chain, ensuring transparency and accountability, and safeguarding the needs of all sections of society, particularly the most vulnerable," Tamang said.
The CM said that there is no cause for concern as adequate stocks are available across the state, and the state government is fully committed to ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply of essential commodities for all.
In the meeting, the secretary of the Food & Civil Supplies department presented a comprehensive overview of the current LPG stock and prevailing supply–demand dynamics, while also underscoring the importance of mindful, judicious, and sustainable use of resources.
An overview on the establishment of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was also presented by the Head of (CGD), HPCL, outlining the roadmap for expanding cleaner energy access in the state.
This was followed by a detailed presentation on LPG supply by the IOCL LPG Bottling Plant, Rangpo, highlighting existing infrastructure, supply chains, and measures to ensure consistent availability.