Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified its crackdown on the black marketing of LPG cylinders amid apprehensions of supply disruptions linked to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, officials said on Thursday.
Acting on strict instructions from the state government, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has launched coordinated raids across multiple districts to curb illegal hoarding and diversion of domestic cooking gas. Authorities said the enforcement drive aims to prevent artificial scarcity and protect consumers from inflated prices driven by illicit trade.
In Angul town, officials of the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department conducted a surprise raid at a gas stove repair shop located in Hemsurapada Chowk following a tip-off about illegal storage of LPG cylinders. During the operation, 18 cylinders were seized. Legal action has been initiated against the shop owner, officials confirmed. The Additional Food Supplies Officer stated that the enforcement campaign would be further intensified in the coming days.
A more significant seizure was reported from Gajapati district, where the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department carried out a raid in Birikote village under Mohana block on the directions of the District Collector. Acting on specific intelligence, officials searched the residence of one Hrushikesh Paik in Bindhani Sahi and recovered a total of 90 LPG cylinders.
The seized stock included 34 filled and 14 empty HP gas cylinders, five filled and 24 empty Indane cylinders, and 13 empty Bharat Gas cylinders. Of the total, 39 cylinders were found filled, while 51 were empty.
Officials said the scale of the seizure points to a well-organised racket involved in illegal hoarding and possible diversion of subsidised domestic LPG cylinders. Storing such a large quantity without a valid licence constitutes a serious violation of regulations, they added.
The state government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against black marketing and warned of stringent action against those found involved in such activities. The ongoing enforcement drive is expected to continue across other districts in the coming days.
