Abhishek & Rahul Singh
Campbell Bay, Aug. 21: Campbell Bay is facing a severe shortage of essential commodities, with residents reporting that they have been without regular LPG cylinder supplies for nearly five months. Mrs. Rameshwari Padhan of Campbell Bay told Andaman Sheekha that apart from the prolonged LPG crisis, the area is also facing shortages of rice and wheat at the CCS and Fair Price Shop outlets.
Breaking down the present situation, Mrs. Rameshwari Padhan said that the last LPG cylinders were supplied around March-April and no regular supply has reached the area since then. She said the relief arrangement discussed in between has also not reached Campbell Bay. According to her, the prolonged shortage has forced many families to depend on firewood for cooking, with residents somehow arranging and storing wood to prepare their daily meals.
She further said that essential food supplies have also become a matter of concern, as rice and wheat are reportedly unavailable at the concerned CCS and Fair Price Shop outlets. While some grocery items are available, the shortage of these basic commodities has added to the difficulties being faced by residents.
Mrs. Rameshwari Padhan said that the issue had earlier been raised jointly by local PRI representatives through a written representation. She said the matter was subsequently taken up through discussions and even protest action, but the supply situation continues to remain a major concern for the residents of Campbell Bay.
Meanwhile, Andaman Sheekha has learnt that around 250 LPG cylinders were sent earlier this month through a Defence vessel, but allegedly did not reach the general civilian population sufficiently. It is further learnt that another consignment of around 240 to 250 LPG cylinders was loaded at Cargo ship Chuglum and is believed to have departed for Campbell Bay.
However, the quantity is far below the present requirement. Sources familiar with the supply situation said that the current demand in Campbell Bay is around 3,000 LPG cylinders, as a large number of households have exhausted their existing cylinders after facing supply disruptions for the past several months.
There is also no clear information at present regarding when the next major LPG consignment will be dispatched to Campbell Bay, as the required survey and related arrangements for further shipping movement are yet to be completed. With the limited consignment unlikely to meet the demand, residents continue to face uncertainty over when the prolonged cooking gas crisis will finally be resolved.
