In a drive to curb black-marketing of domestic LPG cylinders amid rumours of shortage, the Food and Civil Supplies Department conducted inspections across the Nagpur division and seized 110 cylinders during a special enforcement operation. Vijayalakshmi Bidari, Divisional Commissioner, informed that a total of 163 LPG distributors and gas godowns were inspected across all districts of the division under the supervision of district collectors. The cylinders and related materials worth Rs 1,07,926 were seized during the operation. The enforcement drive was launched following rumours of LPG shortage linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and concerns over possible diversion of domestic cylinders to commercial establishments.

 

According to officials, the highest number of inspections were carried out in Gadchiroli district where 70 distributors were checked. In Bhandara district, 37 distributors were inspected, while 17 were inspected in Gondia. In Nagpur district, the District Supply Office inspected 19 locations and the Food Grain Distribution Office inspected three locations. Wardha district recorded 15 inspections, while two surprise raids were conducted in Chandrapur district. Anil Bansod, Divisional Supply Commissioner, said that five offences were registered during the operation and one person was arrested. Two cases were registered Contd from page 1 in Chandrapur district, one in Gondia and two by the Nagpur District Supply Office. Monitoring commercial LPG use Officials said the administration is also closely monitoring the use of commercial

 

LPG cylinders to prevent misuse of domestic cylinders meant for household consumption. In Nagpur district, the administration has deployed 14 special monitoring teams across various talukas to check hoarding and black marketing. These teams are inspecting commercial establishments to ensure that domestic cylinders are not being used illegally. Authorities said the monitoring has been intensified to prevent panic-driven hoarding and diversion of LPG supplies. Special district committees formed To ensure uninterrupted LPG supply and maintain coordination during any potential crisis, the State Government has decided to form special committees at the district level. These committees will include the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, District Supply Officer and officials from State-owned oil companies. Divisional Commissioner Bidari appealed to citizens not to believe rumours linking the conflict in West Asia to shortages of

 

LPG or other essential commodities. She urged residents to avoid unnecessary crowding at gas agencies and warned that panic-driven hoarding could create artificial shortages. Panic, confusion prevail among LPG consumers n Business Reporter While panic and confusion among LPG consumers in the city continued on Friday, cylinders were being sold in the black market at inflated prices. The domestic category 14.2 kg LPG cylinders were reportedly sold at a premium of Rs 400-500 in many parts of the city.

 

According to the sources, there is a huge demand for LPG cylinders from small eateries, dhaba and restaurant owners. In many parts, these commercial category consumers are buying residential category cylinders. For the fourth day in a row, the on-line booking systems of all the oil marketing companies remained non-functional and the frustrated consumers were seen visiting gas agencies. Long queues of consumers was also visible at some of the godowns of gas agencies. Citizens were spotted carrying

 

LPG cylinders in their cars, two-wheelers and bikes. Interestingly, many customers visiting the gas godowns managed to get the refill after spending three to four hours. In the meanwhile, most of the gas agencies in the city once again claimed they have sufficient stock of residential category LPG cylinders. Some of the gas agencies are accepting refill booking through whatsapp giving respite to the consumers. One of the dealers told The Hitavada that his agency is receiving sufficient stock from the oil marketing company. “We are delivering nearly 20-25 per cent more cylinders for the past three to four days. However, its demand has gone up by 60-80 per cent,” he said. The agency owner also said that the shortages are particularly hitting restaurants and commercial establishments and not the residential consumers.