In a proactive move to strengthen fuel supply chains and protect consumers, the Odisha Government held a high-level review meeting today under the joint chairmanship of Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra and Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra.
The meeting, attended by Principal Secretary of the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department, Sanjay Kumar Singh, and senior officials from major oil and gas companies, focused on accelerating the shift from LPG to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) while implementing strict digital safeguards against irregularities.
Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra issued a stern warning against black-marketing and supply chain malpractices. To enhance transparency and eliminate “ghost deliveries,” all gas agencies have been directed to implement mandatory biometric authentication using both fingerprint and iris scans for every LPG delivery. The Minister also clarified that once a household receives a PNG connection, its existing LPG cylinder connection must be immediately decommissioned to ensure optimal resource utilisation.
District Collectors across the state have been instructed to extend full administrative support to gas companies for the smooth and rapid laying of PNG pipelines.
Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra stressed the importance of reducing heavy dependence on LPG in urban areas. He called upon all government and commercial establishments to switch to PNG without delay, assuring expedited clearances from his department. Highlighting the cultural importance of major events, the Minister specifically directed officials to prioritise PNG infrastructure development in Puri to handle the expected surge in demand during the upcoming Rath Yatra festival.
Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh emphasized 100% compliance with the Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) system to prevent false delivery notifications. He reassured citizens that there is no reason for panic regarding gas availability, as the government is continuously monitoring the situation through a dedicated 24-hour control room.
Oil company representatives confirmed the maintenance of a consistent five-day buffer stock and daily sharing of real-time inventory data with the department. Schools, Anganwadis, Ahaar Kendras, and hospitals have been identified as priority sectors for ensuring uninterrupted gas supplies.
The measures are expected to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and reliability to the state’s fuel distribution system while supporting a cleaner and more sustainable energy transition.
