Amethi, April 5: The Amethi district administration cracked down on LPG black marketing as a supply department team raided Prakash Gas Agencyโs warehouse in Kavalapur, uncovering major irregularities and filing a case against the operator.
Following the approval of the district magistrate (DM) Sanjay Chauhan, action has been taken against agency owner Mandeep Singh for violating the Petroleum Gas Order 2000 and under Section 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act 1955. All cylinders present in the warehouse have been transferred to Rajaram Gas Agency, Baramasi, with immediate effect. Information regarding the entire matter has been sent to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), where further action will be taken.
Supply Inspector Arun Kumar Pandey, part of the administration team, stated on Sunday that a complaint was received against the gas agency during the Sampoorna Samadhan Diwas. On the instructions of higher officials, a joint raid was conducted at the agency’s warehouse with Supply Clerk Anil Kumar.
He informed that the investigation revealed shocking facts. 556 filled domestic cylinders weighing 14.2 kg were found missing from the warehouse, while 432 empty cylinders were found in excess. Additionally, 17 defective cylinders were also found missing from the site. Irregularities were also found in the 10 kg composite cylinders, where 10 empty cylinders were found in excess and 9 filled cylinders were found missing. Similarly, 30 filled commercial cylinders weighing 19 kg were missing, while 212 empty cylinders were also unaccounted for. Most shockingly, not a single one of the 29 filled 5 kg cylinders recorded on the departmental portal was found in the warehouse.
The supply inspector stated that after the discovery of this misappropriation of 1,295 cylinders at the gas agency, the supply department took strict action and filed a case against the agency. This administrative action has also prompted fear of investigations at other gas agencies in the district.