Commercial gas connection holders are facing challenges due to the disruption of the supply chain of commercial gas for business establishments. Furthermore, the winter tourism season is currently underway in Uttarakhand, and the Char Dham Yatra is set to commence next month. In light of this, stakeholders associated with the tourism sector have expressed apprehension that the upcoming Char Dham Yatra—and the tourism industry as a whole—could be adversely affected if the supply of commercial LPG cylinders remains disrupted. Taking cognizance of this situation, Anand Swaroop, Secretary of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Uttarakhand Government Issues SOP for Commercial LPG Supply
According to the SOP, a total of 2,650 commercial gas cylinders will be made available daily to all commercial gas connection holders across the state. For the purpose of cylinder distribution, the responsibility will be allocated among the state’s three oil and gas supplier companies—namely IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL—in proportion to their current market share. Additionally, the issued SOP stipulates that these three supplier companies are responsible for ensuring the supply of commercial gas and must duly inform the respective District Magistrates regarding the same. This measure is deemed crucial, as a disruption in the supply of commercial gas cylinders carries the risk of negatively impacting the tourism industry—an outcome that would be detrimental to the state’s economic interests.
In accordance with directives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the state will prioritize the supply of commercial LPG cylinders to the tourism sector—allocating 20 percent of the daily requirement—in addition to meeting the demands of hospitals and educational institutions within the state. A daily supply of 2,650 cylinders will be distributed among various entities, including pharmaceutical units, hotels and resorts, restaurants and dhabas, government-owned or government-controlled guest houses, dairy and food processing units, industrial canteens, hostels offering paying guest facilities, homestays, and establishments operated by Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
The government has established a district-wise allocation plan within the framework of the issued SOP. Under this initiative, commercial LPG cylinders will be distributed as follows: 31 percent in Dehradun district, 4 percent in Tehri, 13 percent in Haridwar, 4 percent in Pauri, 5 percent in Rudraprayag, 4 percent in Uttarkashi, 6 percent in Chamoli, 13 percent in Nainital, 2 percent in Bageshwar, 4 percent in Almora, 9 percent in Udham Singh Nagar, 3 percent in Pithoragarh, and 2 percent in Champawat.
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