Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on black marketing and illegal hoarding of LPG cylinders, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has taken stringent action across the state.
According to the data released by the department for September 5, enforcement squads conducted raids at 3,810 places across Odisha where gas cylinders were being illegally stored for black marketing purposes. During the raids, the department seized a total of 8,434 cylinders.
The department has also initiated strong legal action against the offenders. A total of 46 FIRs have been registered and 496 cases have been filed under the Essential Commodities (EC) Act. So far, nine persons have been arrested in connection with the illegal trade.
The department stated that such enforcement drives will continue to curb illegal hoarding and ensure that subsidized LPG cylinders meant for domestic consumers are not diverted to the commercial market.
