Local leaders in Tsirang have decided to write to the government, seeking intervention over the unreliable supply of fuel from Druk Petroleum Corporation’s fuel depot in Damphu town. The depot is also reported to run short of LPG cylinders. The issue was once again raised during the Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
Local leaders said that although Tsirang is close to Gelephu and faces no transport challenges, the depot often fails to stock enough fuel.
Private vehicle owners can refuel at STCBL’s depot, but government pool vehicles, including gewog utility vehicles, must wait at Druk Petroleum’s depot.
As Druk Petroleum was the only depot until two years ago, the finance ministry issued fuel books to it, requiring government pool vehicles to refuel there.
Leaders added that the shortages affect public service delivery, especially when gewog officials need to travel for emergencies.
Sergithang Gup Phub Dorji said, “Recently, I had to use my private car to take officials from the district land section to my gewog for some official works and dropped them back in the evening in the absence of fuel at the depot. If you don’t believe me, we have other local leaders from 12 gewogs here. What we are proposing is, henceforth, if we can refuel pool vehicles from the other fuel depot.”
Barshong Gup Santa Lal Powdel said, “Until now, we haven’t received any fuel from the so-called reserved stock. The fuel may have gone to other pool vehicles like ambulances, but gewog Boleros never get it. Henceforth, it would be very helpful if the fuel depot makes it possible for gewog Boleros as well.”
Officials from the depot said refuelling for pool vehicles has not been disrupted. They said they redirect pool vehicles to STCBL’s depot when their depot runs out of fuel.
An official with Druk Petroleum Corporation’s fuel depot Ngawang Dendup said, “Policies like taxation in India keep changing, which delays the timely mobilisation of fuel. It is not true that pool vehicles do not get fuel on time. We reserve 4,000 litres for emergencies and refuel whenever it is urgent.”
He added that allowing pool vehicles to refuel from another depot will not be feasible soon.
Ngawang Dendup added, “The proposal to refuel pool vehicles from the STCBL fuel depot might take some time since all systems need migration. This is because these days all services are done online. We are also in the process, but it may take two to three years.”
Local leaders also raised concerns about LPG shortages.
People rush to the depot when they hear of cylinder arrivals on social media. The district’s Economic Development and Marketing Officer said the depot receives three truckloads of LPG every month, each with 372 cylinders.
“To address it, we have been supporting interested individuals to set up LPG cylinder distribution agents in the district,” said Ugyen Dhendup, the Economic Development and Marketing Officer.
However, local leaders fear the agents would charge high rates.
“The reason behind the government providing subsidised LPG cylinders is to make LPG cylinders affordable to all customers. When the fuel depot cannot deliver enough LPG cylinders, private individuals come up with LPG agents. If private outlets increase the prices of LPG cylinders, people will no longer be able to afford LPG cylinders in the future,” said Beda Moni Chamlagai, the Chairperson of Tsirang Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
Last year, Druk Petroleum asked the Dzongkhag Tshogdu to allow STCBL’s depot to distribute LPG cylinders. The request was not considered.
After lengthy deliberations, the house has now decided to write to the government, seeking necessary intervention.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
