Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken strong action against illegal hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders after receiving reports of unscrupulous elements indulging in the malpractice.
The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has directed officials to act firmly in this regard. Supply Department officers in all 30 districts have formed special teams to conduct surprise inspections and take immediate action based on complaints of hoarding.
These teams are providing daily updates to senior departmental officers. District supply officers have also intensified the inspection process under the direct supervision of the respective District Collectors.
So far, inspections have been carried out at 2,136 places, including gas agencies and other locations, across all districts of the state. During these raids, a total of 4,691 LPG cylinders have been seized.
Additionally, 360 cases have been registered in the courts of various District Magistrates, while 31 FIRs have been lodged in different police stations under the Essential Commodities Act. Five persons have been arrested on charges of black marketing and illegal storage of cylinders.
The state government has made it clear that it will not tolerate any attempt to create artificial scarcity or exploit consumers through hoarding of essential commodities like LPG. Officials have appealed to the public to immediately report any instances of hoarding or black marketing of LPG cylinders to the nearest supply office or through the departmental helpline.
The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has assured that all complaints will be acted upon promptly and strictly. The department has also emphasised that LPG supply in the state remains completely normal and there is no shortage. Consumers have been advised not to panic and to purchase cylinders only from authorised agencies at the prescribed rates.
