Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 24: A reported three-month disruption in the distribution of refilled LPG cylinders across parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been brought to the attention of the Chief Secretary, with a demand for immediate clearance of pending supplies and a transparent advance schedule for future distribution.
Jitender Narayan, District President, in a representation to the Chief Secretary, said the issue had been brought to his notice by Ward Members, municipal councillors, Pradhans and members of the public from various Panchayats. According to the representation, residents have been waiting for refilled cylinders for the past three months, with many reportedly returning without supplies after waiting for extended periods.
The representation said the disruption has particularly affected women and elderly residents who depend on LPG for household cooking. It also alleged that people have not been provided with clear information about the reasons for the delay, adding to uncertainty among consumers waiting for refills.
Narayan has sought directions to the concerned authorities for the immediate distribution of all pending refilled LPG cylinders. He has also called for a ward-wise and Panchayat-wise distribution schedule to be prepared and communicated to residents in advance.
The proposed schedule, according to the representation, should be made available through local newspapers, All India Radio, Doordarshan and the official website of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration so that consumers know when and where refills will be distributed.
The representation linked uninterrupted LPG access with the objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, under which clean cooking fuel has been extended to eligible households. It argued that delays in refill distribution can undermine access to the cooking fuel on which households depend.
However, the representation does not provide figures on the number of households affected, the quantity of cylinders reportedly pending, the specific areas facing the disruption or the reason for the reported three-month delay. It also does not state whether distribution has been suspended island-wide or is limited to particular areas.
The matter has now been placed before the Chief Secretary with a request for urgent intervention to address the reported backlog and establish a predictable system for future LPG refill distribution.
