Officials of the food and civil supplies department in Koppal have seized eight filled commercial LPG cylinders, each weighing 19 kg, from the residence of Vinod Chopra. The seizure was made following a complaint by food inspector Basavaraj Chinnur, leading to a case registered at Koppal Town police station on June 3.
Allegations of illegal storage and price gouging
The department suspects that the cylinders were being stored illegally and sold at inflated prices, exacerbating the artificial shortage of LPG cylinders in the city. For several months, traders and commercial establishments have struggled to obtain regular supplies, with many unable to secure new connections or receive authorized cylinders on time.
Impact on local businesses
The shortage has hit the hotel sector particularly hard. Some operators have been forced to revert to traditional wood-fired stoves. Street food vendors and other small food businesses have also been affected by the supply crunch.
Chinnur noted that instances of illegal storage have continued during the supply crunch, raising concerns over availability for genuine consumers. He added that inspections and raids have been intensified to curb such activities.
Previous violations
Earlier in March, the department inspected six hotels in the district headquarters and found domestic LPG cylinders being used for commercial purposes. Cases were registered against those establishments. The latest seizure underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair distribution of LPG cylinders in the region.
