Telangana: 3,699 illegal LPG cylinders seized, 1,275 cases registered
What's the story
The Telangana civil supplies department has seized a total of 3,699 illegal domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders between March 12 and April 3, news agency IANS reported. The department also confiscated 70 small cylinders during this period. The total value of the seized property is estimated to be ₹1.10 crore, officials said on Friday.
Legal proceedings
216 FIRs filed
In connection with these seizures, 1,275 cases have been registered under Section 6A of the Essential Commodities Act. This section empowers district Collectors to seize essential commodities if hoarding and black marketing are suspected. Officials said that 216 FIRs have also been filed in this regard. The authorities are taking strict action against the use of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes.
Supply assurance
No shortage of domestic LPG
The civil supplies department has assured residents that there is no shortage of domestic LPG. However, they have warned against panic booking as it disrupts the delivery system. On an average day, public-sector oil marketing companies Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) supply around 2.15 lakh cylinders in the state.
Auto LPG crisis
Auto LPG in short supply
Civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has clarified that petroleum product stocks are sufficient for three months. His statement came after panic buying of petrol and diesel was reported across the state. However, there is a shortage of auto LPG, causing problems for autorickshaw drivers. On March 31, he wrote to Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri seeking immediate additional supply of auto LPG to meet the daily shortfall.