Commercial use of domestic LPG increasing
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 13 2026: In absence of prompt actions from the CAF&PD Department and relevant authorities, the illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders in hotels, roadside food stalls and other business establishments is increasingly seen in Imphal and other places.

While commercial LPG cylinders are larger, with the most common and standard one weighing 19 Kg, a domestic cylinder which is strictly for use in a household kitchen weighs 14.2 Kg and it comes with a distinctive red coat of paint.

An IOCL official, when asked about the use of domestic LPG cylinders in hotels and food stalls, said that the commercial use of the 14.2 Kg domestic LPG cylinders is strictly prohibited.

Commercial use of domestic LPG increasing

The domestic LPG cylinders are strictly for use in household kitchens.

Using them for commercial purposes in hotels, food stalls and other business establishments is prohibited and illegal, said the officer.

The IOCL officer, however, claimed that the company is not responsible for how refilled LPG cylinders are used by individuals.

It is the responsibility of the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD) Department and other relevant authorities of the Government to enforce the rules, said the officer.

The IOCL officer said that the CAF&PD Department and relevant autho- rities may conduct inspections and raids at hotels, roadside food stalls and other business establishments to curb the illegal use of domestic cylinders for commercial purposes.

The IOCL distributors are simply agents that deliver refilled gas cylinders to consumers.

It is the CAF&PD Department and State enforcement agencies that must enforce the rules for right use of the cylinders, the officer added.

While households having multiple LPG connections may be selling the refills being used commercially, the IOCL has no jurisdiction over such activities.

The CAF&PD Department, on the other hand, can conduct raids and crack down on such activities, the officer said.

The IOCL distributors, meanwhile, are strictly delivering the 14.2 Kg gas cylinders to consumers for household use, the officer said.

Even though the IOCL, in the past, has written to the CAF&PD Department urging it to enforce the prohibition on the use of domestic cylinders for commercial purposes, it has not yet taken any steps, including raids, to enforce the rule, the officer added.

To ensure the right use of the cylinders, business operators may be sensitised on the rules and encouraged to use commercial cylinders, said the officer.