Paramount Gas Agency at South Point Colony, Zunheboto. (Morung Photo, For Representational Purpose Only)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | June 25
The Zunheboto district administration has launched a crackdown on the misuse of domestic LPG cylinders by commercial establishments following reports that restaurants, hotels, cafés, dhabas and other food outlets have been using subsidised household cylinders for commercial purposes.
Deputy Commissioner Dharam Raj, IAS, has issued an order prohibiting the use of domestic LPG cylinders by commercial establishments across the district, stating that the practice violates the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
The administration has directed all LPG distributors in the district not to supply domestic LPG cylinders to commercial establishments. Businesses currently using domestic cylinders have been instructed to immediately discontinue the practice and switch to authorised commercial LPG cylinders.
According to the order, any establishment found misusing domestic LPG cylinders will face stringent action under the Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016, including confiscation of cylinders, imposition of heavy financial penalties and cancellation of trade licences.
To ensure compliance, the district administration has announced surprise inspections and raids, warning that violators will be prosecuted under the relevant legal provisions.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the diversion of subsidised LPG meant for domestic consumers.
Vice-President of the Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ZCCI), Kikheto Muru, said the number of hotels, cafés, restaurants and fast-food stalls in Zunheboto town has increased significantly over the past few years, leading to a corresponding rise in LPG consumption.
A local consumer, reacting to the administration's order, claimed that commercial LPG cylinders are rarely used by businesses in the town. The consumer noted that commercial cylinders do not receive government subsidies and are considerably more expensive than domestic cylinders.
Officials of a gas agency in Zunheboto town said only a few cafés, bakeries and hotels currently use commercial LPG cylinders.
According to the officials, a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder costs around Rs 1,080, while a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder costs approximately Rs 3,250.
The officials further stated that for every consignment of about 306 domestic LPG cylinders received in the district, only a limited number of commercial cylinders — usually nine, 12 or occasionally 36 — are supplied, indicating low demand for commercial LPG despite the increasing number of business establishments.
The district administration has urged all commercial establishments to comply with the order and ensure lawful use of LPG cylinders, warning that strict enforcement measures would be undertaken against violators.
