The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : LPG cylinders seized in city

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Friday, Oct 19, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

LPG cylinders seized in city

Staff Reporter

Action against catering agency and gas agency soon

— Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

TOUGH ACTION: Rationing officials seize cooking gas meant for domestic use from a catering agency near the Government Law College Junction in the city on Thursday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 11 domestic LPG cylinders were seized from a catering agency near the Government Law College junction on Thursday morning by a team of officials led by District Supply Officer T. Vijayan.

The team of officials seized the cylinders as they were being unloaded at the catering agency, city rationing officer (north) M. Sasidharan Nair said here.

“The domestic cylinders were brought to the Tharavattil catering agency from Ashok gas agency based at Kannammoola. Our team later went to the gas agency to find out more details about this incident,” he explained. Further action, including the levying of a fine, will be initiated against the catering agency and the gas agency, he added.

The team also seized two domestic LPG cylinders from Hotel Laila at Vattiyoorkkavu. According to Mr. Sasidharan Nair the team issued notices to another hotel at Vattiyoorkkavu and one near the Vikas Bhavan for not displaying the ‘price board.’

District Collector N. Ayyappan said here that when the team reached the Ashok gas agency office at Kannammoola 50 domestic gas cylinders were found missing. “Normally we do not get the name of the gas agency during raids at restaurants. People try to wriggle out of the situation by claiming that the domestic cylinders have been kept at the restaurant before being taken to their homes. Today, it has become clear that the gas agency was diverting cylinders meant for domestic use to commercial users,” he said.

Mr. Ayyappan also pointed out that the district administration is not empowered to cancel the license of the gas agency that violates rules relating to the supply of cylinders.

This is something for the oil companies to do. There are gas agencies that have tens of thousands of customers. If an action is taken against agencies the common man will be put to difficulty, the Collector said.

“The gas agencies also know this. When the consumer base of one agency reaches a particular level, another agency should be allowed. That way one agency cannot monopolise gas cylinder supply in an area,” he said.

An explanation would be sought from the Ashok gas agency and their arguments will be heard before any prosecution measures are initiated against them, the Collector added.

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