J&K Govt Order On 'Stocking Up LPG For 2 Months' Triggers Debate; What's The Order & Why The Panic?

Amid the concerns, an official has stated that some people are spreading rumours regarding the order to maintain LPG stocks. "The same (letter) has been written...to prevent any shortfall of essential commodities (particularly LPG) during the ensuing monsoon season,"he stated.

Indian security personnel stand guard overlooking the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Nagrota near Jammu. (Photo by Rakesh BAKSHI / AFP)

New Delhi: Two orders by Jammu & Kashmir government, have triggered a fresh discourse among the opposition parties, and a wave of anxiety among residents, at a time when border tensions with China and Pakistan are high. The J&K government has given an order of increasing stocks of LPG to last for 2 months and another order regarding accommodation of security forces in some of the educational institutes Though regarding the stocking of LPG, the government has clarified that it is issued in view of frequent closures of highway due to landslides in order to avoid shortage of supply. Regarding the order of security forces, it was said that the order was issued keeping in view the upcoming Amarnath Yatra . The order for the stocking coupled with accommodation of security forces, had triggered speculations on social media about the possible reason for it. Govt orders creating panic, says Omar Abdullah National Conference leader and former CM of Jammu and Kashmir has said that such orders of government are creating panic in the valley and that govt should explain the orders. “Government orders are creating panic in Kashmir & unfortunately after all the lies & false assurances last year even if/when the government explains these orders hardly any of us will take the assurances at face value. That said they still need to explain these orders,” he tweeted. National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq also demanded an explanation from the government, saying the people of Kashmir cannot afford to live another year in "fear and uneasiness". "It's summer so not many landslides. Stock for two months. Matter most urgent. These three points need clarity at the highest level. People of Kashmir can't afford to live in yet another year of fear and uneasiness, he posted on Twitter. What are the orders: The order directing oil companies to ensure sufficient supplies: "The Advisor to the Hon'ble Lt Gov, UT of J&K, in a meeting convened on 23-06-2020 has passed directions to ensure sufficient stocks of LPG in the valley as the supply of the same gets affected due to closure of the national highway on account of frequent landslides, due to which consumers face lot of inconvenience in availing their LPG refills from the concerned LPG distributors. In this backdrop you are requested to take up this matter with all the oil marketing companies for building up of adequate stocks of LPG which can last upto two months both at bottling plants as well as godowns of LPG distributors at district level in order to ensure smooth and uninterrupted supply of LPG to the consumers of the respective oil marketing companies," the order stated. Accommodation of security forces in educational institutes In a separate order, SP, Ganderbal, has requested for accommodation of security forces in education institutes of district Ganderbal in view of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. "In view of SANJY-2020, and due to dearth of accommodation facilities in district Ganderbal for incoming CAPF Coys, it is requested that the below mentioned accommodation centres/ education institutes may kindly be made available for accommodation of CAPF Coys during the period of SANJY-2020," the order stated. Why the panic? It is to be noted that this is the first time that the administration has decided to stock up LPG cylinders for two months at the time of summer. Usually such exercises are carried out ahead of harsh winter spell, mostly in the month of October, as the weather affects the highways, reports have claimed. Similar orders regarding stocking were issued after the Balakot strikes and during scrapping of Article 370. Govt dispels speculations as 'rumours' On the order regarding stocking up of LPG supplies, an official spokesperson of the govt has said that some people are spreading rumours about it. "We all know that the NH-44, between Ramban-Jawahar Tunnel stretch, behaves in an unpredictable manner during the rains. Currently, we maintain stock of nearly a month in Kashmir," he said He stated that the order was issued to prevent any panic situations that may arise in the event of highway closure for longer duration or on multiple occasions during the next three months. The spokesman said some people are spreading rumours by referring to the letter for "ensuring adequate stocking of LPG in Kashmir", written by the director of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in Kashmir to nodal coordinators for oil companies. "The same (letter) has been written...to prevent any shortfall of essential commodities (particularly LPG) during the ensuing monsoon season," he added. (With inputs from PTI and ABP News Correspondent Asif Qureshi) Also Watch: