Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan to assess the state’s preparedness in addressing potential disruptions in the supply of essential commodities amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed that petroleum products, LPG, and other essential commodities are currently available in adequate quantities across the state. He, however, directed officials to remain vigilant against any attempts at black marketing or creation of artificial shortages, particularly of cooking gas, and ordered strict enforcement measures, including statewide raids against errant traders.
Emphasising the importance of agricultural preparedness, Majhi also instructed officials to ensure sufficient availability of fertilisers for the upcoming Rabi cultivation season. He called for intensified public awareness campaigns to reassure citizens and prevent panic buying or misinformation regarding supply constraints.
The review comes amid concerns over India’s dependence on Gulf countries for crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), with the prevailing conflict in West Asia raising apprehensions about potential supply chain disruptions.
The Chief Secretary presented a comprehensive report on measures undertaken to maintain uninterrupted supply and streamline distribution systems. Detailed discussions were also held on ensuring seamless availability of petrol, LPG, and fertilisers across the state.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Development Commissioner D.K. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswata Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary (Housing & Urban Development) Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary (Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare) Sanjay Kumar Singh, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment) Sachin Ramchandra Jhadav, among others.
