Surat: Amid an ongoing LPG shortage and long queues for cylinders, a major irregularity has come to light in Jhagadia town of Bharuch district, where 956 gas cylinders have gone missing from a Bharat Petroleum dealership.According to a complaint lodged with Jhagadia police, the owner of Nisarg Gas Agency, Digvijaysinh Valvi, reported a loss of over Rs 17.57 lakh due to the discrepancy.Valvi, a Surat resident, operates the agency dealing in domestic and commercial LPG cylinders. While the office is located near HDFC Bank in Jhagadia, the godown is situated in a secluded area on ITI Road.Police said the shortage was detected during a stock verification conducted at the godown on Monday. The audit revealed that 956 domestic cylinders, each weighing 14.2 kg, were missing.The agency’s warehouse keeper, Piyush Gamit, who has been employed for the past 13 years, was questioned regarding the shortfall. He allegedly told the owner that some cylinders were not returned by customers, while others had been sold by him.Unsatisfied with the explanation, Valvi approached the police. The FIR states that the irregularity caused a financial loss of Rs 17.5 lakh, including Rs 3.71 lakh towards refilling costs and Rs 13.86 lakh for the cylinders.Police inspector G I Rathod said efforts are underway to identify others involved and to ascertain whether the cylinders were diverted and sold illegally.
