Kolkata: The West Bengal government and the state police yesterday released dedicated emergency numbers to assist the public amid the escalating LPG crisis in the state.
These emergency numbers are 033-495066101, 033-35026214 and 033-24874400.
The CM Mamata Banerjee also inaugurated a 24-hour LPG control room at Nabanna (1070/033-22143526 and 869781070).
This facility will track LPG stock while coordinating with oil companies, district administration and distributors to resolve bottlenecks.
The government has issued a 10-point advisory, where priority was given to household kitchens, midday meals and hospital services.
Commercial gas supply to hotels and restaurants was restricted and a 12-member monitoring committee was formed.
Steps will be taken to increase kerosene availability in the PDS and the open market.
The government is encouraging a shift towards alternative fuels like CNG to reduce LPG demand.
The transport unions have been asked to maintain reasonable fares during the supply crunch.
Special teams will be deployed to prevent black marketing of LPG, too.
A crisis monitoring committee has been fornrd chaired by Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty.
It will also include senior officials from the health, transport and education departments, along with the DGP, police commissioner and the heads of the intelligence and enforcement branches.
The committee will review the availability of LPG, petrol, diesel and kerosene.
Under the new protocol, Indian Oil, HPCL and BPCL were advised to prioritise domestic consumers and essential institutions.
The SOP introduces measures for equitable access, such as booking preferences for single-cylinder consumers.
Another SOP includes the regulation of commercial LPG supply during scarcity to protect critical sectors like ICDS services and hospital diets.
Police will facilitate green corridors to ensure the movement of LPG tankers, which are now classified as essential transport vehicles.
Another meeting was held with oil marketing companies and administrators to review stocks.
They were requested not to send gas refined in Haldia, Kalyani and Durgapur outside the state until the situation normalises.
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