The Meghalaya Government has intensified real-time monitoring of fuel stocks and supply chains across districts while maintaining a state of preparedness to tackle any potential disruption arising from the ongoing West Asia conflict, with Minister Incharge of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Methodius Dkhar asserting that there is no petrol or diesel shortage in Meghalaya and that supply remains stable and closely monitored despite global uncertainties.
Reassuring the public, the Minister said the State is closely monitoring developments and is equipped to respond to any emerging contingency, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged the evolving global situation. “We are prepared, though Prime Minister has made the statement in the parliament but no directive has come from the centre and we are monitoring the situation. We are mentally prepared,” he said.
The remarks come in the backdrop of the Prime Minister addressing the Lok Sabha on the ongoing conflict in West Asia and its broader implications for India’s energy security and economic stability. He had cautioned that the evolving global situation could persist and urged preparedness and collective resilience, drawing parallels with the national response during the Covid pandemic.
The State government indicated that while apprehensions exist over possible fuel shortages if the conflict prolongs, no such disruption has materialised so far within Meghalaya. “As of now because of the situation happening all around the world, So there is an anticipation that there could be some shortage of petrol and diesel. There could be some shortage of supply. That situation is not very confirm. And as of now, within Meghalaya we don’t have the shortage of the petrol or diesel,” the Minister said.
He, however, acknowledged that a prolonged escalation could alter the scenario. “But there are some anticipation that if this war continuing for another month or two, then that situation might arise, but that is some anticipation only. There is no report of panic buying of petrol and diesel as from the district administration side as well as we are monitoring the situation, till yesterday we did not got the report,” he added.
To prevent market distortions, the government has issued strict instructions to dealers and local authorities to curb malpractice. “Direction and instructions from our department as well as from the district administration we have given to various dealers they should not resort to black marketting or hoarding,” he said.
On the possibility of regulatory interventions such as an odd-even vehicle rationing system in the event of a severe supply crunch, the Minister said no such situation has arisen yet, though contingency planning remains under consideration. “that situation has not arise we still have sufficient patrol and diseal, but if that situation arises and the war continues then we will take a call. I am sure we have to sit down and see what is the formula to prevent the escalation of shortage. If there is an acute shortage then we will work out on best formula to take forward and we have to come out with formula. If the war continues and if there are directive from the centre, then we will sit and decide,” he said.
Meghalaya intensifies monitoring of fuel supplies amid West Asia tensions, rules out immediate shortages
