Sitapur LPG Agency Sealed After 799 Cylinders Found Missing in Major Crackdown
In a significant crackdown on irregularities within the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution network, authorities in Sitapur district have taken decisive action by sealing a gas agency located in Khairabad. This move came after a shocking discovery during a late-night raid, where officials found a total of 799 domestic and commercial cylinders unaccounted for and missing from the agency's inventory.
Consumer Complaints Trigger Investigation
The enforcement action was initiated following numerous complaints from local consumers who reported being consistently denied LPG refills despite the online portal showing adequate stock availability. These grievances prompted district supply officer Akhilesh Srivastava, accompanied by revenue officials, to conduct a surprise inspection of the agency premises on Thursday night.
Massive Discrepancy Between Physical and Digital Records
During the thorough inspection, officials uncovered a substantial mismatch between the physical stock present at the agency and the inventory recorded in the digital system. While the online records indicated sufficient availability of filled cylinders across various categories, the physical verification revealed alarming shortages.
The detailed breakdown of missing filled cylinders includes:
- 553 filled 14.2kg domestic cylinders
- 92 filled 19kg cylinders
- 20 filled 19kg commercial nano cut cylinders
- 127 filled 5kg commercial cylinders
- 7 filled 2kg composite domestic cylinders
In a further twist, officials discovered 675 empty cylinders in excess of what was recorded, adding to the evidence of systemic mismanagement.
Immediate Sealing and Legal Action
Authorities stated that the discrepancies clearly pointed toward large-scale diversion or serious mismanagement of LPG stock. Acting swiftly on these findings, the agency was immediately sealed to prevent further irregularities.
On Friday afternoon, following specific directions from district magistrate Dr. Raja Ganapathy R, a First Information Report (FIR) was officially filed against the agency operator under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act. This legal action underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating this case of potential stock diversion.
Ensuring Uninterrupted Consumer Supply
To minimize disruption for affected consumers, Indian Oil Corporation has taken proactive measures. All customers previously served by the sealed agency have been temporarily attached to another authorized distributor located in Sultanpur, ensuring continued access to essential LPG supplies without interruption.
Officials have also established dedicated helpline numbers to assist consumers with LPG refills and address any concerns, demonstrating a commitment to public service despite the enforcement action. This comprehensive approach aims to balance regulatory compliance with consumer convenience during the transition period.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and accountability within India's LPG distribution system, particularly in ensuring that subsidized domestic gas reaches intended beneficiaries without diversion to commercial or unauthorized channels.
