- Hyderabad seized 3,699 domestic and 70 small LPG cylinders in a statewide crackdown
- Officials seized property worth Rs 1.10 crore and registered 1,275 cases and 216 FIRs
- Government urged citizens to avoid panic buying amid fuel supply concerns due to Hormuz closure
The Hyderabad Telangana Civil Supplies Department has seized 3,699 domestic LPG cylinders and 70 small cylinders in a statewide crackdown on illegal LPG use between March 12 and April 3, NDTV reported.
The officials have seized property worth Rs 1.10 crore, the report said. A total of 1,275 cases under Section 6A and 216 FIRs have been registered against those involved in black-marketing and illegal commercial use of domestic gas cylinders.
The latest seizure comes as the government stepped up measures to secure fuel and gas supplies amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Middle East conflict, while urging citizens to avoid panic buying as sporadic rushes were reported at fuel stations.
"There were certain rumours, which led to panic buying at some retail outlets in a few states, resulting in unusually high sales and heavy crowding at retail outlets. However, it is informed that there are adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all petrol pumps in the country," PTI quoted a statement by the government.
ALSO READ: Government Ramps Up Measures To Ensure Fuel, LPG Supplies Amid Hormuz Disruption
On Tuesday, the government reported that it had conducted 12,000 raids and seized over 15,000 LPGs. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, further reiterated that while LPG is a cause of concern, there are no dry-outs reported.
She also informed that 70,000 panic bookings for LPG cylinders were done on Monday and reiterated her request for users not to panic and, if possible, to look for alternatives.
Sharma said 94% booking of domestic LPG has been placed online and asked users to continue these bookings and not panic. She also noted that the Delivery Authenticity Code (DAC) has increased to 76%.
In the briefing, she further mentioned that Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Manipur, Gujarat, HP, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, etc. have issued orders for allocating non-domestic LPG.
Sharing an update on ships and seafarers, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, said that all 22 ships and seafarers around the Gulf are safe.
ALSO READ: Strait Of Hormuz Blockade: 3 Lakh Metric Tonnes LPG Stranded, Says Government
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