Oil companies asked to stock up supplies for two months in J&K

SRINAGAR — J&K Government has issued an unusual order asking the oil companies to stock up supplies for two months.

Normally the order for stocking up supplies to oil companies is issued to oil companies in Winters due to the frequent closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway due to landslides.

The order issued by Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department reads: “The Advisor (F) to the Lieutenant Governor, UT of J&K in a meeting convened on 23-06-2020 has passed directions to ensure sufficient stock of LPG in the Valley as the supply of the same gets affected due to closure of the National Highway on account of frequent landslides due to which the consumers face a lot of inconvenience in availing their LPG refills from the concerned LPG distributors.”

It adds, “In this backdrop, you are requested to take up this matter with all the oil marketing companies for building up of adequate stocks of LPG which can last upto two months, both at bottling plants as well as godowns of LPG distributors at district level in order to ensure smooth and uninterrupted supply of LPG to the consumers of the respective oil companies.”

In a separate order, the Superintendent of Police, Ganderbal, has requested 16 educational institutes in the district, including ITI buildings, middle and higher secondary schools be vacated. “In view of the Amarnath Ji Yatra-2020, these educational centres be made available for accommodation of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies,” the order reads.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that these orders are creating panic in Kashmir. He tweeted, “Government orders are creating panic in Kashmir & unfortunately after all the lies & false assurances last year even if/when the government explains these orders hardly any of us will take the assurances at face value. That said they still need to explain these orders.”

However, when contacted, Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, Bashir Ahmad said it is a routine order and there is nothing unusual about this.