Lucknow: In a major action against irregularities in LPG distribution, authorities in Sitapur sealed a gas agency in Khairabad after 799 domestic and commercial cylinders were found to be missing.The action was carried out following complaints from consumers who claimed they were being denied refills despite stock showing availability online.District supply officer Akhilesh Srivastava, along with revenue officials, conducted a late-night raid on Thursday. During inspection, officials found a significant mismatch between the physical stock and the inventory recorded in the system.According to officials, while the online records indicated adequate availability of filled cylinders, the physical verification revealed shortages across multiple categories. These included 553 filled 14.2kg domestic cylinders, 92 filled 19kg cylinders, 20 filled 19kg commercial nano cut cylinders, 127 filled 5kg commercial cylinders, and 7 filled 2kg composite domestic cylinders — totaling 799 missing filled cylinders.Additionally, 675 empty cylinders were found in excess.Officials said the discrepancies clearly pointed towards large-scale diversion or mismanagement of LPG stock. Acting on the findings, the agency was immediately sealed.On Friday afternoon, following directions from district magistrate Dr Raja Ganapathy R, an FIR was filed against the agency operator under the Essential Commodities Act.Authorities said that Indian Oil Corporation initiated action against the agency. To ensure uninterrupted supply to consumers, the affected customers have been temporarily attached to another authorised distributor in Sultanpur.Officials have also issued helpline numbers for consumers to facilitate LPG refills and minimise inconvenience.
