MAPUSA
Amid reports of panic buying of cooking gas across the State, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders and that supplies remain available.
Responding to concerns raised by members during the Assembly session, Sawant clarified that the problem currently being faced relates primarily to commercial LPG cylinders used by hotels, restaurants and other establishments.
“Domestic LPG cylinders are available in the State. The issue is mainly with commercial cylinders,” Sawant told the House.
The Chief Minister said the State government is in touch with the Centre to address the supply disruption and ensure normal availability of commercial cylinders at the earliest.
“I am in touch with the Government of India. They have constituted a three-member committee to look into the issue of commercial LPG cylinder supply,” Sawant said, adding that the State government is closely monitoring the situation.
However, the Opposition expressed concern over the emerging shortage and urged the government to act swiftly to prevent inconvenience to households and the hospitality sector.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao cautioned the government against taking the situation lightly, stating that any prolonged disruption in LPG supplies could affect both residents and the State’s tourism-driven hospitality industry.
Opposition MLAs demanded that the government put in place a mechanism to stabilise supply and prevent panic among consumers.
Meanwhile, reports of a possible shortage triggered anxiety among residents in several parts of the State, with people seen queuing up at LPG distributor outlets to book or purchase cylinders.
Long queues were reported outside gas agencies in coastal belt areas such as Calangute as well as in Mapusa and other towns, as consumers rushed to secure domestic cylinders fearing supply disruptions.
LPG dealers, however, indicated that domestic cylinder stocks are being replenished periodically and urged consumers not to panic or resort to bulk bookings.
Officials said the State government is coordinating with oil marketing companies to streamline supplies and ensure that both domestic consumers and the commercial sector receive adequate LPG cylinders in the coming days.
