Hoteliers claim commercial LPG cylinders being black marketed

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Commercial LPG cylinders are available outside gas agencies in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after paying around Rs 4,500 per cylinder amid a claimed LPG crisis, a hotel owner said, preferring anonymity."The supply takes place outside the gas agency through a delivery chain," the hotel owner said. Echoing similar claims, Shivaji Patil, the president of hotels' association from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said the commercial LPG cylinders are available in the range of Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000."Despite authorities taking multiple actions, black marketing of commercial LPG is still taking place. Some hoteliers, in a bid to survive and run their businesses, are forced to buy commercial LPG at higher rates," he said.When contacted, district supply officer Pravin Phulari said hoteliers or general citizens must come out with proof of black marketing of LPG for taking necessary action."Offence will be registered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 , for black marketing of LPG. We have invoked such action in the past also," he said.