Liquefied petroleum gas or LPG cylinder shortage has gripped the five gewogs in Tashichhoeling Dungkhag in Samtse. For the past couple of months, many people from Norgaygang, Tendruk, Pemaling, and Namgaychhoeling Gewogs had to leave disappointed with only empty cylinders to take back.
The Damchen Petroleum Corporation Limited depot in Tashichhoeling Gewog is the only place where residents in the dungkhag can come to change their LPG cylinders. However, recently the supply has not been able to meet the increasing demands.
“Tendruk is a remote village, we have to take the LPG cylinders to Sipsu to get it replaced. We have to pay for transportation while taking it to Sipsu but to return with empty cylinders is a loss for us,” Karma Wangchuk from Tendruk Gewog, said.
“When we don’t get LPG, we have to borrow from others. And when others don’t have the cylinders too, it becomes difficult as we don’t have firewood ready,” Harka Bdr. Pradhan, also from Tendruk Gewog, said.
A quota of 772 LPG cylinders, in a month, was given to Tashichhoeling Dungkhag about four years ago. But until now, the number hasn’t been increased.
“When it comes to the number of households, we have more than 3,000 households. This problem is not just in Tashichhoeling Dungkhag but across all 15 gewogs in Samtse,” Nima Drukpa, the Tendruk Gup, said.
The fuel depot in charge at Tashichhoeling, Norbu Gyeltshen said, when a truckload with about 250 LPG cylinders come, it finishes in a days’ time.
“We give preference to those coming from far places by reserving vehicles. When they return with empty cylinders, it’s a problem for them. We look at their present place of residence in their gas cards and issue on a priority basis.”
The depot needs to issues LPG cylinders to the Royal Bhutan Army and the Farm Machinery Corporation Limited, who has a quota of about 30 cylinders each.
