Nagaland government Friday allayed fears of shortage of fuel and essential commodities across the state in the wake of unrest in neighbouring Assam.
Principal Secretary (Home) Abhijit Sinha Friday told PTI that the Indian Oil Corporation depot in Dimapur has been stocked up to last a few days.
“Petrol pumps may have dried up in several places due to the rise in demand, but the deposit in IOC Dimapur wouldn’t run out of stock in the next few days,” he said, adding that fresh supply would reach the state soon through rail route.
On essential commodities, Sinha claimed that the state had enough in store for now, and there was no reason for people to panic.
He also said that special trains have been arranged to ferry Nagaland-bound passengers stranded in various stations across Assam. Sinha expressed hope that the situation in the neighbouring state would be brought under control soon.
Enough essential commodities in Dimapur: Deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Anoop Kinchi, has informed that sufficient stock of essential commodities including food grains, petrol, diesel and LPG were available in the market.
According to an official bulletin, Kinchi held a meeting with all wholesale dealers of essential commodities, all petroleum and LPG dealers, DMC, DCCI and Police on Friday.
DC therefore urged the public not to panic or resort to panic buying. He also appealed to the public to fill their vehicle tanks, but requested to refrain from taking extra barrels and jerrycans for filling fuel.
Warning all the wholesalers/dealers/ traders not to hoard items/commodities, which would cause artificial shortage and price escalation, DC stated that the defaulters would be held liable and award stringent punishment including cancellation of trade licence and even imprisonment.
No shortage in Kohima: DC Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie, has informed that there was no shortage of fuel and other essential commodities in the district. DC has appealed to the general public not to resort to panic buying and hoarding of fuels and other essential commodities.
DC stated that to avoid long queue and traffic jam in the petrol pumps, restriction has been imposed for filling of fuels in galloons and other containers, except in vehicles.
The district administration along with Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) is constantly monitoring the availability of fuel and other essential commodities in the district.
Sufficient stock in Mokokchung: Deputy commissioner Mokokchung, Limawabang Jamir in a statement appealed to the public to remain calm and not to resort to panic buying.
The DC assured that there was enough stock of essential commodities in Mokokchung. He said the district administration along with MCCI also held a meeting to take stock of the situation
Surprise inspection
As per the directive of DC Dimapur, the district weekly price review sub-committee team conducted a surprise inspection at the godowns and wholesalers in Dimapur district Friday to assess the stock position of food grains and other essential commodities.
During the inspection, the team cautioned the wholesale traders and godowns not to hoard any item or commodity. It was informed that such surprise checks would be conducted time to time.