Showcasing the true character of Manipur : Domestic LPG cylinders galore at Sangai fest food stalls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 26 2013: Although it is illegal to use domestic LPG cylinder of 14.2 Kg capacity in commercial establishments or institutions, a large number of such domestic cylinders are being used in food stalls opened at the Manipur Sangai Festival which incidentally is sponsored by the State Government.

There are more than 500 food stalls in the Sangai festival but only two stalls were seen using LPG re-fill cylinder of 19 Kg capacity.

The remaining stalls are using domestic cylinder of 14.2 Kg capacity which is illegal according to the norms of Government of India.

On being enquired about the open use of domestic cylinders in place of commercial re-fill cylinders, one official of IOC's Divisional Retail Sales Office, Imphal said that according to rules, the domestic cylinders being used in food stalls of Sangai festival can be seized immediately.

The LPG Sales Officer of Imphal area sensing in advance that food stalls of Sangai festival would use domestic LPG re-fill cylinders wrote to the GAD Commissioner on November 20 and appealed to ensure that the food stalls use commercial cylinders of 19 Kg.

Domestic LPG cylinders being used at food stall at the Sangai festival

The letter also assured to open a supply point at the festival venue in order to provide commercial cylinders to the food stalls, if necessary.

Moreover, it asked the festival organisers to take up stringent measures so that food stalls opened at the festival do not use domestic cylinders.

Acting on the letter, the GAD Commissioner wrote and appealed to the Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industries) and the Principal Secretary (Tourism) on November 21 to ensure that all the food stalls use commercial re-fill cylinders.

However, food stalls opened at the festival are using domestic cylinders quite openly, as if it is legal.

A random survey conducted by The Sangai Express today found that only two stalls were using commercial re-fill cylinders.

Some bigger stalls were seen using three domestic cylinders simultaneously.

One stall owner said that they may require nine domestic LPG re-fills for the 10 days of Sangai festival.

Meanwhile, one official from the Sekmai LPG Bottling Plant said that the subsidy given by the Government of India on domestic LPG re-fills is not applicable to commercial establishments/institutions.

At the same, the State Government is not doing anything to check use of domestic LPG re-fills in commercial establishments.

Although distributors are reluctant to take commercial re-fills, IOC has been somehow supplying commercial re-fills to the distributors for distribution to commercial establishments and institutions.

However, with commercial establishments/institutions opting for domestic re-fills, the distributors are running into some sort of trade loss.