Bhubaneswar: People in Orissa are facing acute cooking gas crisis, which compounds their problems to a considerable extent. They are already suffering from a power crisis in the state during the scorching summer.

 

The cooking gas crisis has been attributed to the unauthorized sale of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial use. Most restaurants, food-cart owners, fast food joints and hotels use domestic cylinders to save cost.

 

Despite the crackdown by PSU authorities on many gas dealers, the problem seems to be far from over. The gas agencies refuse the book the cylinders before 21 days of last delivery. And, then they deliver it after 7/10 days of booking. So, one must be prepared to get a cylinder once in a month only.

 

Ironically, the HPCL, IOCL and BPCL authorities say that there is not such rule, which says that the next booking will be made only after 21 days after the date of previous delivery. But, the gas agencies, owned by politicians and other influential people do not bother about this.

 

The black marketing of domestic gas cylinders is rampant in Orissa. Rural areas and remote districts in the state are worst-affected. In cities like Rourkela, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the situation is no different.

 

Reports coming from Kendrapada, Anugul, Bhawanipatna, Koraput, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, Umerkote, Jharigaon and Berhampur indicate that people have been forced to buy LPG cylinders at Rs 600 - 650, which is much higher than the normal price.

 

A large number of people reportedly use domestic cylinders in their vehicles to save high fuel cost. While the Oil companies say that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders in the state, the gas dealers are not listening.

 

The government hasn't woken up yet to the problems of people. No visible steps were taken to punish the erring gas agencies and dealers. It's high time the Orissa government step in and take proper action to ensure smooth and hassle-free gas delivery to common people.