Notice to Haridwar gas agency after illegal LPG refilling video surfaces

Haridwar: The district administration here has issued a notice to a gas agency after a video circulating online purportedly showed LPG cylinders, both commercial and domestic, being refilled from cylinders carried in a gas distributing vehicle, raising allegations of black marketing and misuse of domestic cylinders.The distribution agency, Pushpak Gas Agency, has been asked to submit a reply within two days.Residents claimed that the practice of refilling cylinders from vehicles was widespread and also alleged that domestic LPG cylinders were being supplied to hotels and roadside eateries through middlemen, allegedly in connivance with gas agencies. They also claimed that domestic cylinders were being sold in the black market for Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500.Officials said there are around 5.67 lakh domestic LPG connections in Haridwar district, while the number of commercial connections is about 7,000 -- a gap that residents say encourages the misuse of domestic cylinders by commercial establishments.Resident Sachin Gupta told TOI that online booking services were not functioning properly and many people had to stand in long queues to obtain cylinders. "Recently, a video was circulated widely on social media in which a delivery man was purportedly seen refilling a cylinder from a domestic LPG cylinder. Hotels and restaurants are using domestic cylinders. The administration should take strict action against black marketing," he said.Haridwar district magistrate Mayur Dixit said a control room had been set up to receive complaints and several teams had been formed to conduct raids. "We have sufficient stock of LPG cylinders and action is being taken against black marketing and hoarding," he said.Social activists alleged that enforcement remained inadequate. Activist JP Badoni said the number of commercial connections was insufficient compared to the number of commercial establishments. "Domestic LPG cylinders are being used by hotels and roadside eateries, but no effective action has been taken," he alleged.