PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Amid the deepening cooking gas crisis in Dehradun, the Supply department has decided to take strict action against black marketing of LPG cylinders. The department will soon launch a special raid across the district with the assistance of the police.
The department officials warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found selling gas illegally or using domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes under the Essential Commodities Act.
Sharing details, the district supply officer, K K Agarwal said that due to the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, many hotel and restaurant owners have started using domestic cylinders. This is adding to the LPG crunch the regular household consumers are facing and increasing the backlog of domestic gas supply.
To stop this practice, teams of supply inspectors along with the police will conduct surprise checks at restaurants, Dhabas and warehouses in different parts of the city.
If any restaurant or commercial establishment is found using a domestic gas cylinder, the team would immediately impound the cylinder and register a case against the owner. The department has also warned the gas agencies, stating that strict action will be taken if they are found involved in black marketing.
Meanwhile, the superintendent of police (SP City), Pramod Kumar said that there is enough stock of domestic LPG cylinders in the city. He added that if anyone is found hoarding cylinders, doing black marketing or spreading rumours about gas shortage, Dehradun police will take strict legal action against them. Under the law, the guilty can even face jail from three months to seven years, he said.
