Joint teams of supply officers and police recently conducted extensive raids across Vaishali district, targeting establishments illegally using domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes. These operations, initiated under the direct orders of Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh, aim to curb the unlawful diversion of subsidized gas and ensure fair distribution for common citizens. A total of 20 domestic LPG cylinders were confiscated during the swoops in Mahnar and Hajipur, leading to FIRs against multiple hotel and establishment operators. This swift action highlights the administration's commitment to enforce regulations and protect consumer rights.

What Happened?

The crackdown began with a targeted raid on Raj Darbar Hotel located on Station Road in Mahnar. A team led by the Block Supply Officer, Mahnar, discovered three domestic LPG cylinders being improperly stored and utilized for commercial activities within the hotel premises. This blatant violation contravenes the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Supply and Distribution Regulation) Order, 2000, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Consequently, an First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the hotel operator at the Mahnar police station, signaling strict legal repercussions.

Following the successful operation in Mahnar, a more extensive campaign was launched across the Hajipur sub-division. Joint teams, comprising Block Supply Officers and police personnel, carried out intensive search operations stretching from Gandhi Chowk to Anwarpur Chowk in Hajipur city. During these raids, authorities identified and confiscated a significant total of 17 domestic LPG cylinders. These cylinders were also found to be illegally diverted for commercial use in various hotels and business establishments.

Prominent establishments facing action in Hajipur include Baleshwar Meat House, Humsafar Chai & Coffee Cafe, Delhi Darbar Chicken Biryani, and Green In, located on Dak Bungalow Road. Other businesses implicated were Jagmaya Chulha Ghar, Ashok Light House, Chulha House, and Mohan Ghee Bhandar. In all these cases, FIRs have been lodged at the Nagar Police Station, Hajipur, primarily under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, along with other relevant legal provisions. The continuous efforts by the administration underline a zero-tolerance policy against such illicit practices.

Key Highlights

Joint teams of supply officers and police conducted raids in Mahnar and Hajipur, Vaishali district.
A total of 20 domestic LPG cylinders were seized for illegal commercial use.
Three cylinders were confiscated from Raj Darbar Hotel in Mahnar, leading to an FIR.
Seventeen cylinders were seized from various hotels and businesses in Hajipur.
Prominent Hajipur establishments like Baleshwar Meat House and Delhi Darbar Chicken Biryani faced action.
The violations included misuse of the LPG Regulation Order, 2000, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
FIRs have been registered against the operators at local police stations in Mahnar and Hajipur for their unlawful activities.

Why Does This Matter?

The illegal commercial use of domestic LPG cylinders poses several critical problems for ordinary citizens and the economy. Firstly, domestic cylinders are typically subsidized by the government to provide affordable cooking fuel to households. When businesses illegally divert these cylinders, it constitutes a misuse of public funds and creates an artificial scarcity for genuine domestic consumers, potentially driving up prices or causing delays in supply. This impacts the household budgets of common people, making an essential commodity harder to access and burdening families.

Furthermore, the use of domestic cylinders in commercial settings often involves unsafe handling and storage practices, increasing the risk of accidents like fires and explosions. These establishments are not equipped with the safety protocols required for commercial-grade LPG, endangering both their staff and customers. To address public concerns and ensure prompt action on citizen grievances, Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh has established a 24x7 District Control Room. Citizens can register complaints or offer suggestions via phone at 06224-260233/260234, ensuring quick resolution of issues. The DM has also urged the public not to heed rumors regarding LPG, petrol, and diesel availability, reassuring them that supplies are stable and that strict action will be taken against black marketing.