PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
The district magistrate, Savin Bansal warned the gas agency owners while chairing a review meeting on Thursday that strict action would be taken against those involved in LPG black marketing and would be sent straight to jail. So far, five cases have been registered, three people have been sent to jail and 150 domestic, 139 commercial and seven small cylinders have been seized.
Bansal checked the status of LPG stock, distribution and backlog in the district. Observers said that the district administration, supported by strict checking and action by the Quick Response Team (QRT), has struck fear among those out to take advantage of the LPG crunch and fleece people.
The administration has deployed officers at all gas agencies to keep a close watch on their activities and to ensure that LPG cylinders are delivered to consumers through home delivery.
Bansal directed that around 25,000 pending manual entries of gas distribution must be updated online by the evening, failing which strict action would be taken. He also asked for separate reports on 25-day and 45-day advance bookings.
The administration has also ordered the police to trace the source of illegally seized cylinders and take strict action against the gas agencies concerned. Besides, officials have been directed to check stock, distribution and backlog records daily. It has also been made clear that gas cylinders will not be sent directly from agencies or godowns and will be delivered only through OTP-based home delivery.
The administration said that the home delivery system has also reduced crowding at gas agencies and helped maintain law and order in the district.
