Black marketing of LPG cylinders Cylinders meant for domestic use reaching commercial concerns

Black marketing of LPG cylinders
Cylinders meant for domestic use reaching commercial concerns
Nitesh Sangral
JAMMU, June 16: Despite clear direction that LPG meant for domestic purposes, should not be used for commercial purposes, the practice is going on in the city. The black marketing of the LPG cylinders has become a major menace in the city, with the result that people at times are not getting supply for their domestic use. It is pertinent to mentioned here that the domestic gas cylinders are seen in restaurants, hotels, dhabas, hot dough rehris and a lot of business establishments including hostels for campus, guest houses, but nobody cares for supply of gas to genuine customers. Not only is this, cheap quality LPG kits are fitted in some school vans which also use domestic LPG cylinders, thereby putting lives of small kids in danger. Interestingly, despite all this, the concerned authorities are mute spectators. Even after repeated pleas of genuine customers the concerned department took no step to redress their problem. “The domestic gas cylinders that are provided to people on subsidy by government is being used commercially, thus leading to scarcity of LPG in the area, besides loss to government exchequer. The confectioners in the area are using subsidized LPG to double their business”, said a local resident, Amrit Sharma. Shopkeepers are ready to pay any amount for the refilling of the LPG, whereas due to their increasing demand of LPG, locals are craving for refilling. The thing to behold is that in the wake of commercial cylinders, these shopkeepers are utilizing domestic cylinders, by displaying non-functioning commercial cylinders. “On one side locals are suffering due to shortage of cylinders, whereas on the other side the shoppers are consuming LPG Cylinders for their business, which are only permitted to use at home and administration has no tool in hand other than warning them. Gas Agencies are also involved in the matter because these stall holders are getting the cylinder in black on higher prize”, said Sunil Sharma, a government employee. “People come here but after waiting in queues for hours, have to go back empty handed. Disappointed customers alleged that there are many shops in Jammu, who are promoting black marketing of LPG. The authorities need to act in this regard and owners of gas agencies should also be punished as per the law if proved of black marketing”, he said. When contacted CAPD Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon said that, the administration will take stern action against the accused persons. He added that administration will hold special drive against such person those are using normal cylinders for commercial use and the persons will be punished as per law.