Imphal, November 11 2008: Taking a serious note of illegal and rampant use of cooking gas (LPG cylinder) meant for domestic consumers in commercial establishments in Manipur, Indian Oil Corporation Limited has asked the State Government to take up necessary action so as to stop diversion of domestic cylinders to commercial establishments in the greater interest of the domestic LPG consumers in the State.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, an official source said the request for taking up action against illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders in commercial establishments like hotels, restaurants, lodges, hostels, private nursing homes, etc came consequent to the last month's inspection visit paid to Imphal by the Chief LPG Manager of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) based at Guwahati.

In this regard, the Area Manager of IOC has despatched a written missive to the Commissioner (FCS) of Government of Manipur.

In the written missive, IOC said it has taken serious note of illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders in the commercial establishments located in and around Imphal.

Under the Essential Commodities Act, the domestic LPG cylinders are being supplied to the domestic consumers at a subsidised rate fixed by the Government through the respective Deputy Commissioners.

The missive pointed out that as per the LPG (Regulation of Supply & Distribution) order, 2000 of the Government of India, use of domestic LPG cylinders (14.2 kg) in hotels, restaurants, lodges, hostels, private nursing homes, etc is illegal and only commercial (19 kg) cylinders should be used for such purposes.

So surprise checks or raids at such commercial sectors should be arranged to arrest diversion of subsidised domestic LPG cylinders an book the culprits under the Essential Commodities Act, the missive directed.

The missive further pointed out that commercial (19 kg) cylinders are readily available with all the LPG distributors of IOC in Imphal and other locations of Manipur so that the commercial establishments can take commercial connection and refills as per requirement.

The 19 kg commercial cylinders being costlier would also generate more revenue in the form of Sales Taxes (VAT) to the State Government, the missive noted.

From its side, IOC has also already made known to all the LPG distributors that sale and use of domestic cylinders to the commercial sectors is illegal.

In the missive despatched to the State Government, IOC also mentioned that it has introduced computerisation in all LPG distributors across the country through a common software called INSODT and once it is fully operational in Manipur, it will detect and block dead customers, multiple connections, etc, thereby ensuring refill supplies to genuine customers only.

The job is already in progress in Manipur and will be completed soon.

On the other hand, it may be recalled here that the State Government had already empowered the Deputy Commissioners to take action against use of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes, though the fact that there has been no record of any action taken up in this regard is altogether another story.

In times of shortage filled LPG are sold in the black.

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