Daijiworld Media Network – Sancoale
Sancoale, Jul 3: In a major enforcement drive, the Directorate of Civil Supplies on Tuesday evening seized over 1,000 LPG cylinders during a surprise raid at Peacock Valley, Sancoale, exposing widespread irregularities and safety violations linked to gas agencies.
An FIR has been registered at Verna Police Station against Kadesh Gas Services and an unidentified individual for allegedly selling underweight cooking gas cylinders. The operation is part of a wider crackdown initiated by Civil Supplies Minister Ravi Naik, who has directed officials to intensify surprise inspections under the Essential Commodities Act and take firm action against those engaged in illegal refilling.
During the raid, officials discovered seven vehicles—six bearing the name of Kadesh Gas Services and one unregistered—loaded with 1,023 LPG cylinders. The inventory included 450 domestic cylinders (14.2kg), 30 commercial (5kg), 16 commercial (19kg), and 12 BMCG cylinders. Of these, 508 were sealed and 515 were unsealed.
Out of 283 randomly weighed cylinders, 132 domestic and 18 commercial cylinders were found underweight. All 508 sealed cylinders were seized, and a detailed report will be submitted to the South Goa Collector for further proceedings.
Authorities also found that several BPCL domestic cylinders were underweight and commercial cylinders belonging to HPCL were unsealed. The cylinders were allegedly being stored and loaded at the site without proper documentation or clearance from competent authorities. Officials said this illegal activity was disrupting the legitimate supply chain and posed a serious risk to public safety.
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000 prohibits unauthorised storage, transport, and distribution of LPG. Violations attract penal action under multiple laws.
Verna Police have booked the accused under Sections 288 and 125 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Section 23 of the Petroleum Act, Section 7(ii) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and Section 9B(b) of the Explosives Act, 1884.
The Civil Supplies Department has vowed to continue such raids to protect public interest and ensure safe distribution of this essential commodity.