Patna: Chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Monday directed oil companies to expedite PNG pipeline work in mission mode, expressing strong displeasure over the slow pace of progress and warning of strict action if targets are not met.The direction was issued at a high-level meeting of the Crisis Management Committee (CMG) held under his chairmanship to review the state’s energy supply system and infrastructure progress. The food and consumer protection department, the nodal department of the CMG, presented the status of ongoing works and supply arrangements.The meeting was attended by the development commissioner; additional chief secretary (home); director general of police; and principal secretary or secretary-level officers of the agriculture, health, urban development and housing departments; besides food and consumer protection, cooperatives, labour resources, energy, transport and disaster management departments. Representatives of major oil companies also took part.A review of domestic PNG connections being provided by IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, GAIL and THINK GAS across Bihar showed that, barring a few districts such as Patna and Muzaffarpur, the number of actual connections in most places remained below target. It was informed in the meeting that delays in land allotment and pending Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) approvals were among the technical hurdles affecting the progress.The chief secretary directed the nodal department to continuously monitor the performance of oil companies and submit a detailed report every Monday. He also instructed all divisional commissioners and in charge secretaries to regularly visit their allotted districts and physically verify the availability of contractors and manpower deployed for the work.The food and consumer protection department also presented the status of the LPG cylinder backlog. The backlog was reported to be significant in Arwal, Gaya, Kaimur, Rohtas, Saran and West Champaran districts. District control rooms were stated to be resolving complaints daily, with 800 complaints received over the last five days.A press release said that DMs across the state have so far carried out 22,878 intensive inspections, leading to the seizure of several cylinders and registration of FIRs in multiple cases.Oil company representatives informed the meeting that around 90% of cylinder deliveries are now being made only through OTPs received on the registered mobile numbers. They said the option of using an alternative mobile number has largely been discontinued for security reasons. The meeting was informed that at present, 70% of the weekly requirement of hotels and industries is being met.The labour resources department informed the officials that it has issued a state-level control room number, 0612-2520053, and WhatsApp number, 7368855002, for assistance to Bihar workers stranded in the Middle East and other states. Nodal officers have also been appointed for the purpose.To speed up PNG-related works, special training is being provided to PHED plumbers and ITI students in districts including Patna, Lakhisarai and Munger.
