A major revolution happened to mankind when it shifted from the use of firewood and coal as the cooking energy source to oil and gas. In Western countries they made and completed the shift long back after World War II. But we have done it only recently. In the first phase major cities and towns were brought within the fold of gas supply service. But as days passed by, and population increased manifold, forests got depleted and firewood and coal became very rare items of energy. Then we had to shift to Low Pressure Gas or LPG. Oil Companies began supplying gas through LPG cylinders and a widespread network of stockholders and dealers emerged. However, Government exercised control on the price, supply and appointment of supply agencies according to some format which had to be adhered to. A notable thing was that far flung areas in the State like Ladakh, Kargil, hilly regions of Kashmir valley and inaccessible parts of Jammu region remained outside gas supply service.
Now the good news has come that the Oil Companies, in consultation with CAPD— the state agency looking after civil supplies in the State—- had agreed to open 172 new LPG supply points across the State in all the three regions. 50 per cent of the new outlets will be allocated to Jammu region, and 50 per cent to Kashmir region. Ladakh and Kargil will get 18 outlets each. New areas have been identified with the assistance of District Commissioners, and the new dealers will be appointed by the Union Ministry of Oil and Natural Gas though of course after consultation with the local legislators. This is a very powerful step taken by the Government to bring modernity to the backward areas of the State. The new outlets will mostly serve the far flung and inaccessible regions and people living in border areas. Of course it will mean a sea change in their life style owing to the fact that firewood is becoming a rare commodity and even cost-wise it is no more an easy option. CAPD has laid down a set of rules and procedures that have to be observed.
It is true that opening 172 new outlets of LPG in far flung areas will change the life of the people. Hopefully with the induction of LPG for cooking purposes, they will find a new life dawning on them. Supply of LPG will also reduce pressure on electricity which people would fairly or unfairly put to disallowed domestic use. Thus, the villagers who will be benefited by supply of LPG will be very happy to have been relieved of great pressure.
However, we will expect the Government to be fair and just in the distribution of gas connections. Additionally, we would like to emphasize on the CAPD that since these new connections are meant for villagers in remote places to which accessibility is often disrupted owing to weather conditions, there should be adequate stock to weather the bad days when supply is disrupted. The CAPD will need to create stocks space and other facilities to stock the LPG cylinders for emergency. CAPD has to ensure that there is no shortage of LPG at any time during the year no matter whatever are the weather conditions.
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