Sirsa Reels Under Cooking Gas Crisis, Disrupting Daily Life and Commerce
Residents and businesses in Sirsa, Haryana, are enduring significant hardships due to an irregular supply of domestic and commercial gas cylinders over the past week. This disruption has led to extensive queues outside gas agencies, with many consumers returning empty-handed after early morning waits. The situation was exacerbated when agencies remained closed on Sunday for a scheduled holiday, compounding the inconvenience for the local population.
Official Inspection and Contradictory Claims
In response to mounting complaints, Harveer Singh, the District Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Controller, conducted inspections at several agencies, including Haryana Gas Service, Kasoli Gas Service, and Bhupendra Gas Service. Singh asserted that stocks are adequate and domestic supply is operating normally. He urged residents to disregard rumors and pay only the official rates, encouraging reports of any overcharging to the department.
However, Bhupendra Gupta, owner of Bhupendra Gas Agency, cited a staff shortage, including drivers, as a contributing factor to the supply halt on Sunday, though he noted that operations resumed normally on Monday.
Severe Impact on Commercial Sector and Small Businesses
The supply of commercial gas cylinders has been severely disrupted for the past week, adversely affecting hotels, restaurants, roadside eateries, and various small businesses. The district food and supply department is in the process of forming a committee to address and restore the distribution of commercial cylinders.
Small vendors, particularly those near colleges, have reported a dramatic decline in business. Street food stalls specializing in fast food have reduced their operations by approximately 70 percent, while sweets shops and other eateries have experienced sales drops ranging from 25 to 35 percent.
Community Kitchens and Black Market Exploitation
The shortage has also impacted community kitchens in the city's grain market, inconveniencing farmers and laborers who depend on these services. Operators of the Hari Bhojan free kitchen on Dabwali Road revealed that commercial cylinders are being sold on the black market for prices between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000, making it increasingly difficult to sustain their operations.
Adaptations and Financial Strains on Shopkeepers
In response to the crisis, some shopkeepers have turned to alternative solutions. Neeraj Kumar, owner of Bhanu Pakode on Shiv Chowk, was forced to close his shop for a day due to the gas shortage and subsequently invested around Rs 15,000 to install a diesel stove. Similarly, Vikram, who runs Jitendra Pakodewala, reported that customer traffic has halved, and blowers for diesel stoves are scarce in the market, further complicating efforts to adapt.
This ongoing gas shortage in Sirsa highlights critical supply chain issues, posing severe challenges to both household necessities and local economic activities, with no immediate resolution in sight.
