The Odisha government recently engaged in discussions with senior representatives from major oil and gas corporations to improve the distribution of LPG and other petroleum products in the state. The meeting, led by the Minister of Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Krushna Chandra Patra, and the Minister of Housing & Urban Development, Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, aimed to streamline operations.
Key officials, including Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, deliberated on expediting the transition to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and implementing robust digital security measures to safeguard consumers. Minister Patra issued a strict warning against black-marketing and supply chain irregularities during the session.
To ensure transparency, gas agencies are now required to enforce biometric authentication, utilizing fingerprint and iris scans for all deliveries. Moreover, households receiving a PNG connection must deactivate their existing LPG connection for resource optimization, as clarified by Minister Patra.
District Collectors have been assigned the responsibility of providing full administrative support to gas companies for a seamless transition towards pipeline infrastructure. Urban Development Minister Mahapatra stressed the importance of reducing heavy LPG dependence in urban areas, urging swift adoption of PNG connections by government and commercial establishments.
Emphasizing the significance of upcoming events, Minister Mahapatra directed officials to prioritize PNG infrastructure in Puri to meet the anticipated demand during the Rath Yatra festival. Measures to combat “ghost deliveries” were discussed, with agencies mandated to ensure full compliance with the Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) system.
Officials assured the public of continuous gas availability, with a 24-hour control room monitoring the situation. Oil company representatives confirmed the maintenance of a consistent five-day buffer stock and real-time sharing of inventory data with the department. Schools, Anganwadis, Ahaar Kendra, and hospitals have been identified as priority sectors for uninterrupted gas supplies.
