Bhubaneswar: State governments across India have stepped up enforcement measures to curb black marketing and hoarding of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with authorities carrying out continuous raids and surprise inspections at LPG distributorships and retail outlets.
According to Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, state administrations are playing a crucial role in monitoring supply chains and ensuring that LPG cylinders reach consumers without illegal diversion.
“Continuous raids and surprise inspections are being carried out to curb black marketing and hoarding,” Sharma said during a media briefing, highlighting the coordinated efforts between the central government, state authorities and oil companies.
In several states, joint teams comprising officials from state governments and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been formed to strengthen enforcement. These teams have already conducted surprise raids and inspections in Maharashtra and Rajasthan to identify irregularities in LPG distribution.
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh carried out inspections at nearly 1,400 locations, resulting in the registration of around 20 First Information Reports (FIRs). Several individuals were taken into custody, while prosecution proceedings have been initiated against about 19 persons for alleged involvement in illegal LPG trade.
Similar enforcement drives have been launched in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Karnataka, where inspection teams from Oil Marketing Companies have been activated to check irregular supply practices.
Officials said that around 1,300 surprise inspections were carried out in a single day at LPG distributorships and retail outlets across the country as part of the intensified monitoring effort.
The crackdown comes amid heightened vigilance by the government to prevent artificial shortages and ensure uninterrupted availability of cooking gas to households. Authorities have warned that strict action will be taken against those found involved in hoarding or black marketing of LPG cylinders.
-OdishaAge
