Address LPG shortage

As the Kashmir Valley braces for another spell, a matter of grave concern demands immediate intervention i.e. the acute shortage of essential commodities, particularly Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), in several areas of Srinagar. For the past few weeks, residents across various localities have been struggling to procure LPG cylinders. Queues outside distribution agencies are growing longer by the day, with many households reporting delays of several weeks. The situation is becoming untenable. As temperatures drop and snowfall looms, the demand for heating and cooking fuel intensifies. Without access to LPG, many families are forced to revert to traditional means of heating and cooking, often unsafe and environmentally damaging. In Kashmir Valley, where electricity outages are frequent during adverse weather, the reliance on LPG is even more critical. Authorities must act swiftly. It is imperative for the administration to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, particularly LPG, in anticipation of the weather disruption. Immediate steps should include: Prioritizing refueling and distribution in affected areas, Taking strict action against hoarding and black marketing, Establishing mobile distribution units for last-mile delivery in inaccessible areas and Maintaining close coordination with oil companies to ensure adequate stock levels. This is not merely a logistical issue but a matter of public safety and well-being. The people of Kashmir have faced enough hardship; denying them basic necessities would be both negligent and inhumane. The administration has shown, in the past, that it is capable of effective crisis management. Now is the time to act decisively once again before this shortage escalates into a humanitarian crisis.