‘Kashmir police stations can’t be used as LPG distribution points’

Srinagar, Nov 9 (IANS) The Kashmir Valley administration’s decision to use police stations as LPG distribution points to tide over the cooking gas crisis has run into rough weather.

The Kashmir police has asked the provincial administration not to use police stations as LPG distribution points.

In a communication to the Kashmir divisional commissioner, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir zone) wrote: “I am sure you’ll appreciate that the police stations have to discharge the sensitive task of maintenance of law and order and also attend to other sensitive issues.

“The premises cannot be crowded with people and LPG cylinders as they have to use the available space for the police station and work staff as well. You may consider directing the deputy commissioner Srinagar to modify his order and identify new points of distribution for the purpose,” it said.

Regarding another direction by the district magistrate for the filing of LPG related complaints on the police helpline number, the communication has asked for the presence of officers of the state consumer affairs and public distribution department (CAPD) officials and those of the oil companies in the police control room to attend to them.

The Kashmir Valley has been in the throes of a serious cooking gas crisis after the union petroleum ministry announced the recent LPG cap.

A major curtailment schedule in the supply of electric power following the low discharge of water in the hydro based electric power projects, absence of kerosene oil in the markets, abandoning of traditional methods of cooking using firewood among other have only helped compound the problem for the people, who are complaining of the bitter winter season having arrived earlier than usual.

The night temperatures in the Valley hover around one degree Celsius these days.

—Indo-Asian News Service

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IANS 2012-11-09 12:56:05