Dibrugarh: In a significant move to protect domestic consumers and curb the black marketing of essential fuels, the Dibrugarh district administration has issued a blanket prohibition on the use of domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders for commercial purposes.The order, signed by district magistrate Bikram Kairi on Thursday comes into effect immediately across the entire district.The directive follows mounting reports that subsidised cylinders, strictly intended for household kitchens, are being diverted to hotels, restaurants, and street food vendors. This illegal practice has reportedly led to “artificial shortages” for genuine domestic users, forcing families to wait longer for essential refills.The administration has clarified that the misuse of domestic LPG is a direct violation of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Under the new order, any establishment — ranging from high-end hotels and caterers to roadside dhabas and tea stalls — found using domestic cylinders will face severe consequences.“Any person or establishment found using domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes shall be liable for seizure of cylinders, prosecution and penal action,” the official order read.To ensure the directive is not ignored, a multi-departmental task force has been mobilised. This includes the senior superintendent of police, executive magistrates, and officials from the food, public distribution & consumer affairs department. These authorities have been granted the power to conduct surprise inspections and initiate immediate legal proceedings against offenders.The order also places the burden of responsibility on local LPG distributors. They have been instructed to monitor their supply chains rigorously and ensure that subsidised cylinders are not being diverted to commercial entities.“LPG distributors operating within Dibrugarh district shall also ensure that domestic cylinders are not supplied for commercial usage and shall immediately report any such misuse to the district administration,” the directive specified.Commercial establishments are now mandated to only use official commercial LPG cylinders sourced through authorised distributors. By enforcing this distinction, the administration aims to stabilise the supply for the general public and ensure that govt subsidies reach their intended recipients.
