Checking sale of LPG in black market DC's inaction irks CAF&PD
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 07 2012:
The Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD) Department has not taken lightly the failure of the respective Deputy Commissioners to check sale of cooking gas in black markets despite an earlier instruction to this effect.
A high ranking official in CAF&PD Department conveyed that the Department asked DCs of Imphal West and Imphal East to check sale of LPG in black markets last month.
Similar instruction was later given to all DCs as well as ADCs of Kangpokpi and Jiribam but no concrete measures have been taken up so far.
On June 4, CAF&PD Additional Secretary M Yaiskul wrote to the DCs informing that the IOC was facing shortage of refilled LPG supply to the consumers in the State due to shortage at the supply point located in Assam.
The DCs were also informed that the available LPG stock at Sekmai Bottling Plant would not last longer than six days.
The Additional Secretary also communicated about using domestic LPG cylinders in hotels, restaurants and other commercial centres located at district headquarters and ADC headquarters.
Along with this information, the Additional Secretary instructed the DCs/ADCs to take up necessary measures in order to check sale of LPG in black markets.
The DCs and the ADCs were further directed to conduct raids in the godowns of dealers and take up due actions under the Prevention of Black Marketing and Hoarding Act, conveyed the official.
Another source however said that the respective DCs are unable to adhere to the instructions from the CAF and PD due to lack of adequate manpower.
The CAF and PD issued the instruction following reports in the newspapers about the shortage of LPG to the consumers and its availability in the black market.