Panaji: Unlicensed LPG distributors and private racketeers across Goa’s three districts are discreetly diverting LPG cylinders to black market agents to meet the panic-driven demand from consumers and eateries. Customers are forking out up to Rs 2,000 per cylinder, against the actual rate of Rs 927 for a domestic cylinder. The civil supplies department has constituted flying squads to crack down on profiteering.
The shortage, triggered by the war in West Asia, pushed average wait times for a subsidised cylinder to 25 days. Anticipating a shortage of LPG cylinders, people are queuing outside gas agencies in Margao. The demand for cylinders on the black market comes from migrant workers who do not have the necessary documentation required to obtain gas cylinders through the formal process.In Porvorim, a security guard from North India said that LPG cylinders are being supplied for Rs 2,000.Speaking on condition of anonymity, an LPG dealer from Salcete said that distributors typically divert a minuscule part of their allocated quota to informal storage to supply it at a premium to those who do not have domestic consumer accounts.“We deployed six vehicles with teams to crack down on black marketing and hoarding of gas cylinders,” said director of civil supplies and consumer affairs Jayant Tari.“Flying squads were asked to act on complaints. We also appointed officers to keep a check on orders and deliveries at each LPG distribution centre,” said Tari.“Our local dealer offered me a cylinder for Rs 1,500. I only have one cylinder, and I am in two minds on whether to take the cylinder,” said a senior citizen living in Calangute.Govt acknowledged the supply constraints and announced a consumer helpline for black market complaints. It said supply is being expedited, but it did not give a clear timeline.“Citizens are hereby advised to register their complaints regarding black marketing, hoarding, and unfair trade practices related to LPG with the respective taluka officers of civil supplies and consumer affairs,” said Tari. He added that the assistant director for each taluka was empowered to act on complaints received from people about hoarding and black marketing of cylinders.
