Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 21 October 2024
A peaceful protest will be held today in Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar Island, demanding the regular supply of LPG cylinders to the island’s 2,600+ consumers. The demonstration comes in response to widespread frustration over a severe disruption in LPG deliveries, with over 1,500 households reportedly going without a single refill for the past four months.
The ongoing LPG shortage has left many residents unable to cook meals at home, creating a crisis across the island. Public representatives are under pressure from constituents who are increasingly dismayed by the lack of intervention from the administration, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and its distributor, The Consumers Co-Operative Stores (CCS) Ltd., to ensure a consistent supply.
The protest, which has been organised by the Pradhans of Campbell Bay Panchayat, Laxmi Nagar Panchayat, and Govind Nagar Panchayat, is seen as a final measure to draw attention to the dire situation.
Prahlad Singh, Pradhan of GP Laxmi Nagar, expressed his disappointment with the authorities for their inability to address the problem despite repeated pleas. “We have raised the issue of LPG supply several times with the relevant authorities, but no action has been taken to ensure the delivery of these essential cylinders on time,” he told *Nicobar Times*. He also criticized CCS Ltd. for further complicating the issue, highlighting that their staff fail to accept refill bookings during supply runs to remote villages like Laxmi Nagar, forcing consumers to travel to Campbell Bay for booking their refills in person.
The Pradhan of Govind Nagar Panchayat, speaking to *Nicobar Times*, reiterated the critical nature of the protest, stating that the ongoing supply issues are causing undue hardship to residents. He expressed hope that the protest would push the administration to take immediate steps to restore regular LPG supply and develop a long-term plan to prevent future disruptions.
The protest is expected to draw a large crowd from across the island. Demonstrators are set to gather at 9:00 a.m. outside the CCS Ltd. Store in Campbell Bay, where they will voice their concerns and demand action.