Man held for illegally selling LPG cylinders at higher prices amid shortage

Meerut: Hapur police and the district supply department on Friday arrested a resident of Asouda village for allegedly illegally storing and selling LPG cylinders at a higher cost amid reports of shortages in several districts of Uttar Pradesh. Officials seized 18 filled and 14 empty cylinders from him."Acting on a tip-off about illegal storage of LPG cylinders near Panchayati Ghar, officials carried out a joint raid at one Abdul Rehan's house. The seized cylinders have been handed over to Bharat Gas distributor for safe custody pending further orders," said Preeti Rani, district supply officer. During questioning, Rehan admitted ownership of the recovered cylinders and disclosed that he had been purchasing filled cylinders from various hawkers and selling them to villagers at a profit of Rs 20 to 30 per cylinder for approximately one year. Authorities recorded his statement.DM Abhishek Pandey said that illegal storage and sale of domestic LPG cylinders for profiteering violates the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Supply and Distribution Regulation) Order, 2000, as amended. "This act is punishable under sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955," he said.Residents alleged that Rehan had been selling cylinders on the black market at higher costs. "Taking advantage of the ongoing cylinder shortage, he was demanding Rs 2,000 per cylinder," said a villager. Authorities have now initiated further investigation into the matter.