Over 1,000 cylinders, 7 vehicles seized in raid; FIR filed against gas agency
The LPG cylinders and vehicles seized during a raid by the Directorate of Civil Supplies on late Tuesday evening at Sancoale.
PANAJI/VASCO
In a major crackdown on the gas agencies involved in the sale of underweight LPG cylinders, the Directorate of Civil Supplies on late Tuesday evening seized over 1,000 cylinders during a raid at Sancoale.
An FIR has been lodged against Kadesh Gas Services and one unknown person at Verna Police station for selling underweight cylinders. The crackdown is a part of broader initiative of Minister Ravi Naik, who has asked authorities to conduct surprise inspections under the Essential Commodities Act. The Minister has also asked to take action against those involved in illegal filling of cooking gas.
Highly placed sources informed that during a surprise inspection of LPG vehicles at the open area in Peacock Valley, six vehicles bearing the name board of Kadesh Gas Services and one vehicle belonging to an unknown person were found. The vehicle had total 1,023 cylinders – 5kg commercial cylinders (30), 19kgs commercial cylinders (16) and 14.2kgs domestic cylinders (450) and BMCG cylinders (12).
While 508 cylinders were in sealed condition, 515 were unsealed.
“Total 283 cylinders were weighed, out of which 132 domestic cylinders and 18 commercial cylinders were found underweight,” sources said.
Sources said that all 508 cylinders have been seized and the detailed report will be submitted to the South Goa Collector for further action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. “There is complete ban on sale or distribution of LPG cylinders below or in excess of the standard weight. FIR has been lodged,” sources said.
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) order 2000 bans unauthorised possession, supply and consumption of LPG as well as unauthorised storage and transport.
During the inspection, officials from the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs found approximately 1,000 LPG cylinders, including domestic and commercial ones belonging to BPCL and HPCL.
Random checks revealed that several BPCL domestic cylinders were underweight, while commercial cylinders were found in unsealed condition, weighing more than their standard tare weight.
The accused were allegedly carrying out illegal LPG decanting without authorisation or proper safety measures, posing a serious threat to human life.
The team also observed that LPG cylinders were being stored and loaded at the location without any valid documents or permissions from competent authorities, thereby disrupting the regular supply of this essential commodity to the public.
Verna Police have registered the case under Sections 288 and 125 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Section 23 of the Petroleum Act, Section 7(ii) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and Section 9B(b) of the Explosives Act, 1884.
