JAMMU, MARCH 11: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Transport, IT, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the stock position and supply of petroleum products across Jammu and Kashmir in view 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 besides evaluating preparedness in case of any potential supply disruptions arising from the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Legislators Zafar Khatana, Saif u din Bhat and Dr Shafi Wani, Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA, Saurabh Bhagat, Director’ FCS&CA Jammu / Kashmir Rifat Kohli, Dr Sagar Dattaraya, representatives of 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 took a detailed review of the current stock level 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 the consumers.
Satish Sharma emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate buffer stocks and strengthening coordination with the 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.
The Minister also stressed the need for proactive planning and preparedness in light of the ongoing Middle East developments. He called upon the 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, Satish 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 the 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.
