Imphal, December 26 2008: To break the impasse that has arisen following the imposition of godown tax on LPG stockists by the NSCN (IM), which is engaged in a peace talk with the Government of India, and the subsequent refusal of the Bullet vehicles to procure gas from Assam, the State Government has decided to approach the CeaseFire Monitoring Cell. Following the imposition of godown tax on the Bullet vehicles to the tune of Rs 13 lakhs, the process of lifting gas from outside the State has been suspended since December 8, leading to a shortage of cooking gas in the State. The Sekmai Bottling Plant too has run out of stock and bottling works there came to a grinding halt since December 16. Since then no LPG cylinders have been delivered to the distributors leading to an acute shortage of the gas here.

To discuss the situation, the Chief Secretary today convened a meeting with the LPG transporters and distributors.

During the meeting the distributors and transporters made it clear that even if security is provided to them, it would not be possible for them to resume service since they have to pass through territories which are the strongholds of the NSCN (IM).

As such the armed group must be persuaded to retract their godown tax, the transporters and distributors made it clear.

The transporters and distributors urged the Chief Secretary to let the State Government get in touch with the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell to prevail upon the Naga outfit to withdraw their godown tax.

The Chief Secretary was also urged to settle the matter soon so that the transporters can avail the escort service on Monday and resume normal duty.

After listening to the story of the transporters and distributors, the Chief Secretary assured that the State Government will take up due process to get in touch with the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell.

The transporters also highlighted the problems and inconveniences faced while travelling through the National Highway. After the meeting with the Chief Secretary, the transporters and distributors tried to get an appointment with the Chief Minister to discuss the issue, but no appointment was granted, said the dealers.

The attitude of the Chief Minister towards the current situation is highly unfortunate, said the transporters and distributors.

Meanwhile with LPG stock running out at most of the LPG distributors/agents, many households have switched back to kerosene stove, firewood and charcoal heater. As reported earlier, LPG stock at Sekmai Bottling Plant has run out while transporters have been refusing to ferry LPG from the beyond the State. The transporters have been refusing to transport LPG following a huge monetary demand made by NSCN (IM). If one is lucky enough, one may have the opportunity to buy filled LPG cylinders at Rs 700 to Rs 800 per cylinder.

But for that, one has to go round and search far and wide. It is reported that the NSCN (IM) has been demanding Rs 15 lakhs as annual �godown tax� from the Sekmai Bottling Plant under AOC as well as from the LPG distributors. With the AOC and LPG distributors unable to fulfil the rebel group�s demand, transporters have been refusing to transport LPG from refineries in Assam for fear that they may be targeted along the highway.

One LPG distributor said that almost all distributors have run out of their LPG stocks.

Under the circumstances, the distributors would not able to serve their consumers effectively. One housewife said that her family has switched to charcaol based heater for the last five days after their LPG cylinder went empty. Pointing out the inconveniences of using charcoal based heater for cooking which is highly time consuming, she asserted that the Government should take up necessary actions on order to ensure availability of LPG to the people.

In connection with the issue, workers of the Sekmai Bottling Plant staged a protest demonstration at Sekmai under the aegis of the AOC Contractual Labourers� Union, Sekmai Branch on December 23. LPG distributors of the State also staged a protest sitting on the same issue at Keishampat here on the same day.

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