LPG black-marketing racket busted in Bulandshahr, FIR filed

Meerut: The administration, in coordination with the food and civil supplies department, on Tuesday unearthed a black-marketing racket involving cooking gas cylinders in Anupshahr tehsil of Bulandshahr district.District supply officer (DSO) Abhay Singh said, "During a surprise inspection, major discrepancies were found in the stock of Aahar Indane Gramin Gas Agency. A total of 291 cylinders of 14.2 kg and 49 cylinders of 5 kg were missing from the recorded stock. The agency operator failed to produce valid documents related to the sale and distribution of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders."Following the irregularities, an FIR was registered against the agency under Sections 3/7 of the Essential Commodities Act."Further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the malpractice and identify any larger network involved in the illegal trade of subsidised LPG cylinders," Singh said.The supply department claimed that there was no shortage of LPG cylinders in the district. "Adequate stock is available, and residents are advised not to panic. Consumers should book their cylinders from home through official channels and avoid falling prey to rumours," DSO Singh said.