Chandigarh, March 24 The Haryana government is taking strict action against those involved in the black marketing of cooking gas cylinders, with eight FIRs registered so far and 825 LPG cylinders seized, officials said on Tuesday.
Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Rajesh Nagar, assured citizens on Tuesday that there is no shortage of domestic LPG supply in the state and there is no need to panic.
He said that any irregularities related to LPG supply are being addressed urgently.
He emphasized that the government has a zero-tolerance approach towards black marketing and the misuse of LPG cylinders.
"So far, eight FIRs have been registered, 52 people have been found involved, and 825 cylinders have been seized," he said, according to an official statement.
Minister Rajesh Nagar said that the supply of petrol, diesel, and domestic LPG in the state is completely normal, warning that strict action will be taken against those spreading rumors.
Seven FIRs have been registered in Faridabad, and one in Sonipat, and three vehicles have been seized during the crackdown, it added.
Speaking to mediapersons on Tuesday evening after a six-hour meeting of the State Cabinet, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, while replying to a question regarding gas supply issues, said that due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, this problem is being faced globally.
He said that the entire world is affected by it.
He said that the government has decided to promote the use of PNG connections.
He also said that currently, there are around 5 lakh PNG connection holders in the state, but nearly 2 lakh consumers are not using them.
Replying to another question, Saini said that to overcome the current global challenge, efforts should be made with a spirit of cooperation.
Saini said that strict action is being taken to curb black marketing of gas. Additionally, alternatives such as solar stoves and electric plates/stoves should be used.
He informed that 10 companies are currently supplying PNG.
A spokesperson of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs said in the past six days, oil marketing companies supplied 61,034 domestic LPG cylinders of 14.2 kg, and the current stock at bottling plants stands at over 9.82 lakh domestic cylinders.
Regarding commercial LPG, he said in the past 25 days, 848 commercial cylinders of 19 kg were supplied, and the current stock at bottling plants stands at more than 1.79 lakh cylinders.
The supply of petrol, diesel, and domestic LPG across Haryana is running smoothly, and major oil companies -- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) -- have sufficient stock available, the spokesperson added.