Bengaluru, March 14: The Karnataka government has launched a statewide enforcement drive against the misuse of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes, registering multiple cases and seizing several cylinders under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Acting on directions issued by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, officials booked cases after detecting domestic LPG cylinders being illegally used in commercial establishments across several districts.
According to the department, enforcement teams seized and registered cases involving 45 cylinders in Peenya (Bengaluru), 209 in Chikkajala, 3 in Shivamogga district, 46 in Yadgir district, and 13 in Davanagere district for violation of LPG usage norms.
In a separate operation, authorities also registered a case against a gas agency shop in KGF (Kolar district) that was allegedly involved in illegal LPG refilling activities.
Officials stated that strict legal action was initiated under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, against those found diverting domestic LPG cylinders for commercial use.
Meanwhile, the department has also issued instructions regarding the distribution of commercial LPG cylinders, directing that 20 percent of commercial cylinders be prioritised for essential services in accordance with central government guidelines.
These include supply to hospitals, schools and educational institutions, airport and railway station canteens, bus stand food facilities, temple kitchens distributing prasadam, government offices, old-age homes, and major private sector offices.
The department further clarified that there is no shortage of domestic LPG cylinders in the state and measures have been taken to ensure uninterrupted supply to household consumers.
On Thursday alone, 3,86,363 domestic LPG cylinders (14.2 kg) and 6,371 commercial LPG cylinders were distributed across Karnataka, the department said in an official statement.
