Fuel Supply Fears Surface In Kashmir Govt Says Stocks Adequate

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) ** Srinagar-** Fuel supply concerns surfaced across Kashmir on Wednesday amid global tensions affecting petroleum markets, even as the Jammu and Kashmir administration assured that stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG remain adequate and warned hoarders and black marketers of strict action.

Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg said the stock position of essential fuels, including high speed diesel, motor spirit and LPG, is comfortable and is being closely monitored by the administration.

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“Our stock position on essential supplies for high-speed diesel, motor spirit and LPG is comfortable. LPG supply is stocked for 13 days. Even at maximum supply, we maintain stocks for about 15 to 20 days,” Garg told reporters here.

He said there is no need for panic buying as the government is monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

“Our control room as well as the Food and Civil Supplies Department are monitoring the situation daily. We are comfortably placed in terms of stocks,” he said.

Garg added that with minimal disruption on the Jammu–Srinagar national highway, there is no immediate cause for concern regarding fuel supplies.

“I appeal to the public to rely only on official updates regarding supply positions. There is no need for panic buying. The Government of India and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir are closely monitoring the situation. If any decision is required, it will be communicated by the government,” he said.

The Divisional Commissioner also clarified that the restriction issued by the Centre applies only to commercial LPG and does not affect domestic consumers, hospitals or educational institutions.

“If any violation is noticed, deputy commissioners will take remedial measures so that the public does not face any inconvenience regarding essential services,” he added.

** Hotels, Restaurants Flag LPG Concerns**
Meanwhile, stakeholders in Kashmir’s hospitality sector expressed concern over the supply of commercial LPG cylinders, saying existing stocks may last only for about eight to ten days if fresh supplies are not ensured.

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President of the Jammu and Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Association (JKHARA), Babar Chowdhary, said that while there is no immediate shortage, uncertainty over fresh supplies has created anxiety among businesses.

“As of now there is no shortage, but the stock we have will last for around eight to ten days. If fresh supplies are not ensured, operations may halt,” he said.

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Chowdhary said the hotel and restaurant sector employs nearly 3.5 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir and any disruption in fuel supply could have serious economic consequences.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the Central government to ensure adequate commercial LPG supply to hotels, restaurants and catering establishments across the Valley.

“The hotels and restaurants depend heavily on LPG as their primary cooking fuel and lack viable alternatives for commercial-scale operations,” the Chamber said.

President of the All-India LPG Federation, Jagmohan Singh Raina, warned that panic buying was already putting pressure on supply chains.

“The ongoing conflict has affected the global economy and petroleum supplies. People are queuing up at petrol pumps not only to fill vehicles but also to store fuel in cans and bottles. Gas agencies are facing similar situations where consumers who already have two cylinders are demanding a third,” Raina said, appealing to the public to avoid panic purchases.

He said tourism-dependent regions such as Jammu and Kashmir are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in commercial LPG supplies as hotels and restaurants rely heavily on cylinders for cooking.

President of the All Kashmir Bakery Association, Shahid Mir, said bakeries were witnessing a surge in demand during Ramadhan but were not yet facing any fuel shortage.

“Demand for bakery products increases during Ramadhan. Many bakeries operate rotary ovens that run on diesel and as of now there is no information regarding any shortage of diesel,” he said.

Reports of panic booking of LPG cylinders have also emerged from Sopore and several other parts of the Valley, with residents rushing to secure additional cylinders amid fears of shortages.

Under the existing distribution system, domestic consumers are generally entitled to one cylinder approximately every 25 days.

** Govt Warns Hoarders of Strict Action**

Amid the concerns, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Satish Sharma appealed to residents to remain calm, asserting that there is no shortage of petroleum products in the Union Territory.

Speaking to reporters, Sharma said petroleum and LPG supplies remain adequate across the region and warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found hoarding or indulging in black marketing.

Earlier in the day, the minister chaired a high level meeting to review the stock position and supply of petroleum products including petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG in view of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA Saurabh Bhagat, Directors of FCS&CA Jammu and Kashmir Rifat Kohli and Dr Sagar Dattaraya, representatives from Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, along with officials from Legal Metrology and other concerned departments.

During the meeting, Sharma reviewed stock levels, operational status of fuel depots and LPG bottling plants and the supply chain mechanism to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel to consumers.

He directed officials and oil marketing companies to maintain adequate buffer stocks, strengthen coordination and ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across all districts.

The minister also instructed enforcement agencies to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding, black marketing and overcharging of petroleum products and LPG cylinders, and directed Legal Metrology and other enforcement teams to intensify inspections at fuel stations and LPG outlets.

Highlighting the global nature of energy markets, Sharma said vigilance and reason must prevail and appealed to citizens not to panic.

He urged the public to report any irregularities, assuring swift action against offenders while maintaining uninterrupted supply of essential fuels across Jammu and Kashmir.

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