Andhra Pradesh - Nalgonda   

Revenue Department to crack down on gas-run vehicles

S.Ramu

Most vehiclesfit gas cylinders without taking official permission, it is learnt

ON THE WRONG SIDE: A vehicle with unauthorised gas connection detained in Nalgonda on Tuesday. — PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

NALGONDA: While consumers wait in serpentine queues in front of gas agencies to collect their cylinders, some persons merrily run their vehicles with gas to save fuel costs. Most vehicles, two and four wheelers, fit gas cylinders without taking official permission, it is learnt.

Faced with gas scarcity in the district, the administration mulled over the issue and finally found that a major chunk of gas is going to vehicle users at the cost of domestic consumers. The nagging problem of gas scarcity was discussed at length at the recently held Food Advisory Committee meeting and a formal decision was taken to rein in unauthorised use of gas to run vehicles.

"Once upon a time, a major diversion (of gas cylinders) was channelled to hotels. As we went after such hotels, the managements have gone for commercial category," the Joint Collector B.Sridhar told The Hindu .

He revealed that the district administration was all set to launch a major drive to book cases against the illegal diversion of gas for vehicles. To create awareness among the vehicle owners, the revenue officials started checking vehicles and seizing them if found with unauthorised gas cylinders. To the surprise of the officials, many two-wheelers are also being run with gas in almost all towns in the district.

However, the Revenue Department is unable to crack its whip on such offenders in the absence of a foolproof system. "Some owners take permission to fix gas connection for their vehicles but they fill the gas locally.

We are helpless in such cases," an official said.

Since it is a new problem they are tackling, the revenue officials are seeking the help of police and road transport departments.

"At present we are keeping the seized vehicles in the police stations for one or two days and letting off the owners with a warning," the Joint Collector said, adding that a major drive was on the cards to prevent diversion of domestic gas to vehicles.

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Revenue Department to crack down on gas-run vehicles

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