Thiruvananthapuram, April 11 Civil Supplies officials seized around 500 commercial gas cylinders allegedly stored illegally at the premises of a private gas agency in Attingal on Saturday.
The officials told a TV channel that the cylinders, of various sizes, were found at the agency following an inspection based on secret information that cooking gas was being illegally sold from there.
"Most of these cylinders belonged to oil companies and were being stored here illegally," one of the officials said.
He added that the private agency claimed to have obtained the cylinders from the oil companies, but this was not possible.
The official further said that a detailed report will be given to the District Collector, who will then issue notices to the concerned individuals, seeking their presence and after hearing them, will make a decision.
"Such diversions are occurring in various places, and that is why special squads under the Civil Supplies Department have been formed to carry out inspections. This inspection here was also part of this initiative," he said.