In a major crackdown on the illegal use of cooking gas, authorities in Indore district seized a total of 40 gas cylinders from multiple restaurants and dhabas on Monday. The raids, part of an intensified campaign, targeted establishments in the Mhow and Depalpur areas for misusing domestic cylinders for commercial purposes and operating commercial cylinders without proper connections.
Widespread Raids Across Two Areas
District supply controller ML Maru stated that two inspection teams from the food department conducted simultaneous operations. The drive focused on curbing the dangerous and unlawful practice of using domestic LPG cylinders in commercial settings, which poses significant safety risks.
Depalpur Operations: Domestic Cylinders Misused
In Depalpur, the inspection team zeroed in on establishments at Balaji Chauraha in Betma. Three 14.2 kg domestic gas cylinders were confiscated from Indian Dhaba, which is operated by Devi Singh. From the nearby Balaji Restaurant, run by Nilesh Modi, another three domestic cylinders of the same size were seized. Officials confirmed that these cylinders, meant for household use, were being illegally utilized for commercial cooking.
Mhow Crackdown: Commercial Cylinders Without Connection
The second team carried out operations in Mhow, uncovering several violations. Eight 19 kg commercial cylinders were taken from Dastur Dhaba, operated by Hemant Verma, for running without a valid gas connection. On the Mhow-Pithampur Road, three cylinders were seized from Vrindavan Family Restaurant, run by Bobby Verma.
The largest haul in Mhow came from Maa Vaishnav Dhaba on Manpur Road, where a whopping 12 commercial cylinders were confiscated. The dhaba is operated by Sachin Singh. Furthermore, eleven Indane commercial gas cylinders were seized from Rajput Dhaba and Restaurant on AB Road. This establishment is run by Mahendra Rajput and Rohit Chauhan.
Official Warning and Ongoing Campaign
ML Maru issued a stern warning to all commercial establishments, reiterating the ban on using domestic cylinders. He emphasized that commercial cylinders should only be used after obtaining a proper LPG subscription voucher from an authorized gas agency.
"The ongoing campaign against gas cylinder refilling, illegal business, illegal storage, illegal use and illegal buying and selling will continue," Maru asserted. He made it clear that the department is committed to rooting out these hazardous practices.
Legal Consequences for Violators
As a result of Monday's action, cases have been registered against all the implicated establishments under the stringent Essential Commodities Act. This legal step underscores the seriousness of the violations and serves as a strong deterrent to others who might be flouting the rules. The crackdown is expected to continue across the district to ensure compliance and public safety.
