Vadodara: Even as concerns over LPG availability continued amid the ongoing supply crisis, the Vadodara district administration on Sunday stepped up monitoring of cooking gas distribution by deploying police and revenue officials at gas agencies, while assuring residents that adequate stocks are available.According to data released by the district supply department, more than 20,700 LPG cylinders were available across agencies of three public sector oil marketing companies in the district as of Sunday.With the district recording an average daily sale of about 15,575 cylinders, officials said the available stock leaves a surplus of over 5,000 cylinders after meeting routine demand.Company-wise figures show that Indian Oil Corporation holds the largest share with 9,960 cylinders against an average daily sale of 8,169 cylinders. Bharat Petroleum has 5,318 cylinders in stock with an average daily sale of 3,628 cylinders, while Hindustan Petroleum has 5,462 cylinders available against a daily sale of 3,778 cylinders.Officials said the figures indicate that the district has sufficient LPG supply and there is no immediate cause for concern.At the same time, authorities have intensified surveillance of LPG distribution to prevent diversion or misuse of domestic cylinders. Following directions issued by the additional chief secretary of the food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department, district collectors across Gujarat were asked to ensure strict monitoring of booking, supply and delivery of LPG cylinders.Under the mechanism, one revenue official and one police personnel have been deployed at each gas agency during working hours to supervise booking offices, godowns and delivery operations. The move follows recent instructions issued by the ministry of petroleum and natural gas under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.Authorities added that LPG supply for welfare schemes such as the mid-day meal programme, Integrated Child Development Services, hostels and labour welfare programmes will continue without any cuts.Hospitals, educational institutions, hostels and registered charitable organisations such as old-age homes and orphanages in Vadodara city will be supplied commercial LPG as per urgent requirements. BOX17 domestic LPG cylinders seized during raidIn a crackdown on the illegal commercial use of domestic LPG cylinders, the district supply department seized 17 cylinders from a hotel in Vadodara district during a surprise inspection, officials said on Sunday. The team found domestic LPG cylinders belonging to a private gas company being used in the kitchen of Hotel Galaxy in the Por area for commercial purposes, in violation of govt regulations.Vadodara district supply officer Geeta Desai said similar surprise inspections will continue in the coming days.
