Omar Abdullah rations LPG as Kashmir freezes

Omar Abdullah government’s claims about snow preparedness and stock position have been exposed after the divisional commissioner of Kashmir Asgar Samoon ordered rationing of LPG and directed the oil companies to fill only five kilograms in the domestic cylinders to accommodate more people till the Jammu-Srinagar national highway reopens.

“In view of the road closure, divisional commissioner Kashmir has ordered rationing of LPG and directed the oil companies to fill only five kgs in the domestic cylinders, so that more people can be accommodated. The rate of five Kg LPG has been fixed at Rs154 per cylinder by CAPD department”, the government spokesman said.

Even after rationing the LPG, Samoon claimed 15 bulk tankers of LPG arrived at HPCL Plant, Pampore on Saturday and 80 truckloads are on way to Srinagar. “The present stock position of LPG is around 30,000 cylinders. “There is no shortage of essential commodities in the valley and around 45 kgs of ration to APL and 50 kgs of ration should be provided to BPL families. There is a buffer stock of sugar and kerosene oil available in the godowns”, he said.

Kashmir is experiencing heavy snowfall since Saturday night which has created a serious situation. Srinagar recorded 4 inches to 6 inches of snow while Budgam received 6 to 8 inches and, Ganderbal 4 to 7 inches of snow. Famed ski resort of Gulmarg received 12 to 18 inches of snowfall.

All the flights from Srinagar airport were cancelled due to the poor
visibility.