Illegal sale of LPG cylinders goes unchecked

Tribune News Service
Bathinda, July 21

With barely any check by authorities concerned, the sale of illegal LPG cylinders continues unabated in the city.

Showing a scant regard for norms and safety of the city residents, black marketeers can be easily spotted transferring gas from large cylinders (bought from gas agencies) to small cylinders and selling them at exorbitant prices in full public view.

The illegal practice of using LPG for commercial purposes by shopkeepers has been continuing for the past few months as authorities concerned seem to have turned a blind eye to the practice.

Shopkeepers have been selling small cylinders of 8 kg, 4 kg and 2 kg with gas transferred from large cylinder bought from gas agencies. LPG cylinders were being filled/sold openly near Multania overbridge, Hazi Ratan Chowk and Guru Nanak Pura near grain market area in the city.

A gas cylinder of 8 kg that contains 1 kg of LPG is available for Rs 1,100. Similarly, a gas cylinder of 4 kg can be bought for Rs750. For extra filling, Rs80 is charged for 1 kg of LPG. Shopkeepers in the city have even installed the gas stove on top of the small gas cylinders for cooking purposes (Rs100 extra).

According to shopkeepers, a large number of customers are thronging their shops to buy LPG cylinder on a daily basis. It is selling like hot cakes in the city.

When asked if it is legal to trade in cylinders without proper documentation, a shopkeeper said, “There is nothing to worry as everybody is free to buy and start using cylinders as per their convenience. There is barely any check by authorities on the selling of LPG cylinders.”

Resident living near the Multania overbridge said it posed a direct threat to the safety of the city residents. These shopkeepers could be seen transferring gas from large cylinders to small cylinders at the shops itself and if anything goes wrong during that process, it might result in a big tragedy, the residents said. It is high time that the higher officials wake up from their slumber and take necessary action before the things goes out of control.

When the matter was brought to the notice of officials of the Department of Food and Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs, they expressed complete ignorance over the selling/filling of LPG cylinders in the city.

District Food and Supplies Controller (DFSC) could not be contacted, despite repeated attempts.