Amid growing public concern over the global political situation and its possible impact on fuel supplies and commodity prices, Meghalaya Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Methodius Dkhar on Wednesday asserted that the State is not facing any fuel shortage and there is presently no proposal to further curtail the convoy size of Cabinet ministers.
Seeking to calm fears over disruptions in fuel availability and rising prices of essential commodities, Dkhar said Meghalaya remained in a “comfortable position” despite apprehensions triggered by the prevailing international situation. He maintained that ministers in the State were already using minimal convoys and that the government had not found any necessity to impose additional restrictions.
“As of now in our state though there is some apprehension, there is some worry not only in our state but in the whole world, but since the supply in our state there is no shortage at present still there is no discussion that to reduce the size of the convoys of the cabinet ministers. The convoy that we are using, most of the ministers, many of our colleagues also they are not using much of convoy, hardly one or two and mostly we use convoy while travelling to a far distance whenever is necessary,” Dkhar told reporters in Shillong.
Referring to the larger geopolitical situation, the Minister said the State government was closely monitoring developments but maintained that the situation was beyond the control of the State administration.
“Just at present as you are aware, about the condition about the political situation so that is not in our hand. We will not be able to say anything about it. In our state we are not having any shortage of fuel as of now,” he said.
Dkhar acknowledged that petrol and diesel prices had increased over the last few days, along with the prices of several other commodities, but stressed that the hikes were part of a nationwide trend and not a decision taken by the State government.
Stating that there was no reason for panic, he said, “Even there are some other commodities also, the prices have hiked, through you I would like to appeal to the people that the increase in the price of petrol and diesel and then the other commodities is not the decision of the state, the decision is based on central government and ministry of petrolium. The rate has increased Nationally.”
The Minister said Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma was in communication with the Centre, although the State had not yet reached a stage requiring special intervention or emergency support.
“The State government, the Chief Minister is also communicating with the centre but the situation has not come to the level that we need special intervention or we need special care as of now, as we are prepared if the situation reached to such conditions where there is truly scarcity and truly shortage, then definitely we have to reach centre for support,” he added.
On whether the government was considering a work-from-home arrangement in view of the evolving situation, Dkhar said no such decision had been taken so far.
He also cautioned that if the conflict situation prolonged further, fuel prices could rise again, although it was too early to predict future trends.
“As of now there are some increase in the price of some of the item if not food items, like the prices of steel, alluminium has increased, the war is not only affecting the petroleum products, there are other products also which are getting affected,” he said, adding, “Basically the main thing is petrol and diesel and whenever there is increase in the price of petrol and diesel then there is slight jump in the prices of essential commodities.”
The Minister further stated that the domestic LPG supply situation in Meghalaya had improved considerably compared to earlier periods, though certain regulatory measures had been introduced to streamline distribution.
“In the LPG section, though there are some issues here and there but we are in a comfortable position than before. So basically, domestic LPG, there is no shortage, but there is some system that has been put on place to regulate,” he said.
However, he admitted that some shortage continued in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders, while asserting that the situation had improved significantly in recent weeks.
