Special meeting held to ensure commercial gas cylinder availability

Kochi: A special meeting was held under the leadership of district collector G Priyanka to ensure the availability of commercial gas cylinders in the district. The meeting, which included representatives from fuel companies, distributors and consumers, assessed the current situation in the district.The collector instructed that cylinders should be prioritised for hospitals, schools and welfare institutions under department of social justice. To facilitate the distribution of cylinders, Kerala LPG Supply Tracker portal has been set up. Representatives from fuel companies, distributors and consumers will have access to this portal. The committee led by district collector will determine the priority order for cylinder allocation. Public distribution department has taken steps to increase the production of gas cylinders for commercial use by a certain percentage and to begin distribution based on the demand available through the portal. Nine squads have been deployed across the seven taluks in district to act against irregularities related to LPG distribution. Storing more than 100kg of cooking gas without a licence is illegal. Authorities have been instructed to file cases under Essential Commodities Act in such instances. Using domestic cylinders for commercial purposes is also illegal and action will be taken in such cases. Monitoring cells related to this matter are operational at district and taluk supply offices, even on holidays. The meeting held in the district collector's chamber was attended by city police commissioner S Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, district supply officer S R Smitha and other officials from relevant departments.