Due to gas cylinder crisis in Gwalior, 3 out of 4 Deendayal kitchens closed, plates for the needy reduced from 3700 to 1300.

Deendayal Rasoi Yojana, which provides food at subsidized rates to the needy in the city, is in serious trouble due to shortage of gas cylinders. Due to supply disruption, three out of four kitchens in Gwalior have been closed, resulting in a huge decline of about 65% in food plates.

Whereas earlier an average of 3700 people used to get food through these kitchens every day, now this figure has come down to 1300. At present, only the kitchen located at the interstate bus stand is somehow functioning, but if the gas supply does not become normal soon, it may also be locked.

Arrangements based on only one kitchen

According to the information, the kitchens operating at two other places including Jhansi Road Bus Stand and INTUC Ground have been completely closed. At present, only limited quantity of food is being prepared from the kitchen of the interstate bus stand and sent to some places, which is very less as compared to the demand.

The Municipal Corporation requires 8 to 10 gas cylinders daily to operate these four kitchens. However, a drastic cut in supply began from March 13. Only 5 cylinders were found that day and on Saturday this number came down to just 2, due to which a decision had to be taken to close three kitchens.

Decline seen in figures

The impact of cylinder shortage is directly visible on the number of plates. According to the data:

• March 12: 3700 plates
• March 13: 1218 plates
• March 14: 1446 plates

Pramod Singh, in-charge of Deendayal Kitchen, said that due to shortage of cylinders, very little food is being prepared in the kitchen. Earlier, where 3000 to 3700 thalis were made, now this number has come down to 1000 to 1500. He also said that the crisis is so severe that hot water from the street has to be used for cooking.

“There is a problem of gas cylinders. Adequate gas cylinders have not been received for Deendayal Rasoi for two-three days. In such a situation, food is being sent only from the kitchen of the big bus stand. The system will be fixed soon.” — Pradeep Tomar, Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation

The officials have assured to improve the system soon, but the ground reality is that thousands of needy people are being deprived of food every day. If the supply is not restored immediately, a situation of starvation may arise in the city.