Guwahati: Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Wednesday indicated that the state could face a possible shortage of cooking gas, stating that local refineries currently have the capacity to meet only around 30 per cent of Assam’s total demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
In a post on X, Kota said the four refineries operating in the state have been asked to increase production in order to maintain an uninterrupted supply of LPG for consumers.
He also informed that he participated in a video conference convened by the Union Home Secretary, which was attended by chief secretaries and Directors General of Police from all states and Union Territories.
The meeting reviewed the nationwide availability and distribution of LPG and diesel.
According to Kota, the review highlighted that the output from refineries within Assam is expected to meet only about 30 per cent of the state’s LPG requirement. Authorities have therefore urged the refineries to step up production to ensure adequate supply in the coming days.
Assam currently has four oil refineries — three operated by Indian Oil Corporation at Digboi, Guwahati and Bongaigaon, and another at Numaligarh run by Numaligarh Refinery Limited.
To closely track the situation, the state government has constituted a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary. The panel, comprising officials from relevant departments, will regularly review the supply and availability of LPG in the state.
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Kota added that a separate media monitoring committee has also been set up to keep watch on rumours, misinformation and misleading reports that could trigger panic among consumers.
He further said enforcement agencies have been instructed to take strict action against individuals or groups spreading false information or attempting to create panic about fuel availability.
