128 cylinders seized in Agra raid

Agra: Amid the LPG crisis, the district administration has intensified its crackdown on LPG-related irregularities, with a major raid in Agra district leading to the seizure of 128 domestic gas cylinders on Friday.Meanwhile, Agra DM Aravind Mallappa Bangari directed strict enforcement measures to curb black marketing and ensure transparent distribution.Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the supply department raided a house near Tatpur bus stand in Jagner on Friday afternoon, uncovering an illegal storage and refilling operation. The action was conducted by district supply officer Anand Kumar Singh.Kumar said 121 empty and three filled Indane cylinders, along with three empty BPCL cylinders and one empty HP cylinder, were recovered from the premises. Two filled 5-kg commercial cylinders were also seized.The property owner, identified as Ashok Singhal, was not present during the raid, but legal proceedings have been initiated against him under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and relevant provisions of the LPG Control Order, 2000.The raid comes a day after incidents of alleged black marketing and disorder at LPG agencies came to light. In one such case, the staff of a gas agency in Agra's Achhnera was assaulted by miscreants for refusing to provide cylinders without a valid booking. Police have arrested the accused in that case.DM Bangari also chaired a meeting with LPG distributors at the collectorate, issuing instructions to prohibit the delivery of cylinders without online booking and a valid DAC (delivery authentication code). He warned of strict action against overcharging and illegal practices, adding that surprise inspections are being carried out."The administration has mandated 100% home delivery of LPG cylinders in urban areas to reduce crowding at agency outlets. Distributors have been directed to display key consumer information, including booking norms, refill intervals, and helpline numbers, and to set up help desks for grievance redressal," the DM said.Bangari further added that the drive against illegal LPG trade and distribution malpractices will continue across the district to safeguard consumer interests.