Jharkhand LPG Crisis: Minister's Doorstep Delivery Directive Fails, Long Queues Persist in Ranchi
The directive issued by Jharkhand's Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Irfan Ansari, to ensure doorstep delivery of LPG cylinders has proven ineffective, as residents in Ranchi continue to endure hours-long queues to secure refills. This ongoing issue highlights a significant gap between government assurances and ground reality.
Residents Forced to Queue for Hours Despite Bookings
In the Chutia area of Ranchi, long lines of consumers were observed on Friday, with many waiting for refills after failing to receive cylinders at their doorsteps despite booking them approximately a month in advance. One consumer, Vijay Bading, shared his ordeal, stating, "I booked a refill three weeks ago and even received delivery authentication codes twice. Yet, I have not received a cylinder, forcing me to queue from 4:30 am to 1 pm on Friday." This situation underscores the frustration and inconvenience faced by residents due to the breakdown in delivery services.
Administration's Ban on Roadside Purchases and Assurance
Sub-divisional officer (SDO) (sadar) Kumar Rajat emphasized that the district administration has imposed a total ban on purchasing LPG refills on roads. He urged consumers to avoid queuing up on roads and assured them that refills would be provided only at their doorsteps. However, this assurance has not translated into practical relief for many, as evidenced by the persistent queues and delivery failures.
Black Market Racket Uncovered in Chutia Area
In a related development, a team of district administration officials and police uncovered an alleged black market racket in the Chutia area on Thursday night. During the raid, over 200 LPG cylinders—both commercial and domestic—were recovered from a residence. This discovery points to potential illegal activities exacerbating the LPG shortage and distribution issues in the region.
The ongoing LPG crisis in Ranchi raises serious questions about the effectiveness of government directives and the need for improved enforcement and supply chain management to ensure reliable doorstep delivery for all residents.
