Cooking Gas Crisis in the State: Decision to Take Urgent Measures

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, has decided to take urgent measures to address the shortage of cooking gas cylinders for non-domestic purposes. The high-level meeting decided to prioritise the distribution of cylinders and form an enforcement team to prevent illegal activities such as black market trading.

A monitoring committee will be formed at the state level to oversee the daily consumption and distribution of cooking gas cylinders required for industrial and domestic use. A district-level monitoring committee will also be set up under the leadership of the district collectors, and they will use a specially developed dashboard for monitoring.

The decision was made during a meeting between the state government and representatives of various cooking gas companies to address the cooking gas crisis. The meeting also reviewed which categories of people should be prioritised for receiving gas cylinders, particularly in case of shortages. Hospitals, old age homes, orphanages, schools, community kitchens, canteens in IT parks, and factory canteens will be given priority. A guideline for this will be issued, and the gas companies assured that they will adhere to it.

In addition to these groups, the state government will discuss and finalise other categories that should be prioritised, and the list will be handed over to the gas companies. The Chief Minister emphasised that the operations of crematoriums should not be affected by the shortage.

To enhance the distribution of kerosene, the Civil Supplies Department will take necessary measures. An enforcement team, which will include officials from Revenue, Civil Supplies, the Police, and representatives of cooking gas companies, will strengthen checks to prevent the use of domestic cylinders for industrial purposes.

Currently, the state's allocated share of non-domestic gas cylinders is 20 percent. Considering the high demand, including from migrant workers, Kerala will request the central government to increase the allocation of cylinders. The Civil Supplies Department will also take action to counter fake news regarding the cooking gas crisis.

Senior officials, including Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal, Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh, Chief Secretary Dr. A. Jayathilak, along with representatives from public sector oil companies such as IOC Chief General Manager Geethika Varma, BPCL LPG State Head Tharian Peter, and HPCL Regional Manager Amsur Rahman, participated in the meeting