No shortage of essentials: CM

Jammu, Mar 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday reiterated that there was no shortage of essentials and the challenges arising out of West Asia developments would be overcome with the same resilient spirit of ‘Team India’, as delineated by the Prime Minister while referring to the collective response of the country during Covid.

Cautioning people against rumour-mongering about scarcity of essentials, he revealed that the Centre had assured of regular supplies.

CM Omar was responding to media queries outside the Legislative Assembly, about the Chief Ministers’ meeting convened by the Prime Minister on Friday (March 27) through videoconferencing, to discuss the situation arising out of West Asia developments and its potential impact on India and review preparedness.

“On March 27 evening, a meeting (of Chief Ministers) was convened by the Prime Minister. All Chief Ministers, except those of five states where elections are scheduled, participated in the meeting. During the meeting, the cabinet secretary gave a detailed presentation to us, giving an update about the prevailing scenario; evolving situation, with particular reference to the Strait of Hormuz, following the eruption of war in the West Asia,” the Chief Minister stated, while giving a brief account of deliberations in the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.

CM Omar divulged that Chief Ministers, during the meeting, were briefed how the supplies of fuel and essentials were being maintained.

“Cabinet Secretary in his briefing and the central government assured us that there was no shortage of essentials anywhere. This is what I also want to convey to the people as rumours fly thick and fast. Following rumours, you too would have seen serpentine queues outside petrol pumps; people tried to procure LPG cylinders,” he reminded.

The Chief Minister shared that his government was regularly assessing supplies. “We are monitoring our supply position on a daily basis. For the time being, we have no shortage of gas cylinders, diesel, petrol, kerosene. We have adequate supplies of all these essentials and the Government of India too has assured us that regular supplies will continue,” he stated.

He reminded that at the onset of war, restrictions were put in place on the use of commercial gas cylinders.

“In case of domestic cylinders, we were allowed 100 percent distribution. In the case of commercial (LPG) cylinders, initially the 20 percent (distribution) ceiling was enforced; now the ceiling has been increased to 70 percent. We hope that there will be no scarcity of any kind,” CM Omar remarked.

“Simultaneously, the Prime Minister reminded us as to how the entire country confronted Corona, when the Centre and the states worked together as “Team India.” He (PM) repeatedly mentioned ‘Team India’ to convey how the nation stood united to tackle Covid. The country with the same spirit (of Team India) will be able to face emerging challenges posed by the existing, fast evolving scenario and will overcome the situation,” the Chief Minister asserted.