The West Bengal government has announced a standard operating procedure (SOP) to address LPG availability issues in the state during the ongoing Gulf crisis. A 24×7 state LPG control room will be established at the state secretariat Nabanna to monitor and coordinate LPG supplies. This control room will track availability, stock levels, and movement of LPG across the state, working closely with districts, distributors, and oil marketing companies.
A state-level committee, led by Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, will oversee the LPG crisis monitoring and provide policy guidance to ensure stable LPG availability. In response to concerns over potential supply disruptions, Kolkata Police have increased surveillance in the city to prevent black marketing of cooking gas. All police stations are on high alert, monitoring LPG cylinder distribution and movement.
To prepare for any shortage of commercial cooking gas, Kolkata Police are considering alternative cooking methods like induction cookers and microwave ovens for police barracks. This decision follows an emergency meeting held by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with LPG dealers to assess the supply situation. The Chief Minister criticized the Union government for the crisis, attributing it to the Petroleum Ministry’s decision to extend the gas cylinder booking gap to 25 days.
