Kolkata, Mar 12 (PTI) The West Bengal government on Thursday issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure coordinated monitoring of LPG supply and distribution, while announcing the setting up of a round-the-clock control room at the state secretariat Nabanna to address supply-related grievances.
The decision was taken during a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna with officials of all departments, with district authorities joining the discussion virtually to review the LPG supply situation across the state.
Banerjee said the state government is keeping a close watch on gas supply to hospitals, households, schools and other institutions, and hoarding will not be tolerated.
The initiative aims to stabilise LPG availability and ensure prompt redressal of public complaints amid concerns over possible supply disruptions, according to the SOP.
“This SOP is issued to guide coordinated monitoring, stabilise supplies, and facilitate immediate redressal of public grievances,” it said.
As part of the measures, a 24×7 State LPG Control Room will be operationalised at Nabanna to function as the central coordination and monitoring hub, with the public able to contact it on 1070 and 033-2214-3526 for assistance and complaints related to LPG supply.
The control room will monitor LPG availability, stock positions and movement of cylinders, and coordinate with districts, distributors and oil marketing companies to address any bottlenecks in the supply chain.
The state government has also constituted a state-level LPG crisis monitoring committee, chaired by the chief secretary, to review the supply situation regularly and provide policy guidance to stabilise availability across the state.
The committee will include senior officials from key departments such as food and civil supplies, school education, health, disaster management and transport, along with representatives of oil marketing companies.
Officials said district-level monitoring mechanisms will also be activated to ensure timely supply and distribution of LPG cylinders, particularly for domestic consumers and essential institutions such as hospitals, schools and anganwadi centres.
Later, Banerjee said the situation was reviewed in detail, and the administration had been directed to take all necessary steps so that people do not face any disruption in the supply of the essential fuel.
“I held a special meeting with officials of all departments at Nabanna today, with officials from all districts joining virtually, to ensure that the supply of cooking gas remains normal,” she said in a social media post.
“To tackle any possible fuel shortage, an SOP has been issued. Alongside this, an LPG control room is being opened at Nabanna,” the chief minister said.
Banerjee said the state government was keeping a close watch on gas supply to hospitals, households, schools under the mid-day meal scheme, anganwadi centres, correctional homes, government hostels and other institutions.
“We have also held detailed discussions regarding restaurants, hawkers and those involved in home delivery services. Gas agencies have been asked to ensure supply on a priority basis, and district officials have been directed to closely monitor the supply chain so that it remains transparent and regular,” she said.
The chief minister warned that hoarding, illegal stockpiling, overcharging or black marketing of LPG would not be tolerated.
“Strict vigil is being maintained. If necessary, the state government will seize cooking gas stocks from hoarders,” Banerjee said.
She added that while the supply of LPG falls under the jurisdiction of the central government, the state administration was constantly monitoring the situation to ensure that people in West Bengal do not face any hardship. PTI SCH NN
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