Illegal cooking-gas cylinder trade busted in Odisha’s Ganjam

A racket involved in the illegal sale of domestic LPG (cooking gas) cylinders was exposed on Sunday in Digapahandi locality of Ganjam district.

Also Read: LPG cylinder illegal sale: Odisha man arrested for selling gas cylinders at higher prices

The unlawful activity came to light when a local cooking gas agency owner opposed the unauthorised sale of gas-filled cylinders, prompting an immediate alert to the police.

Acting swiftly, Digapahandi police detained the gas supply vehicle involved in the incident and initiated a probe. Initial investigation reveals that the cylinders were being distributed without proper billing, raising questions about their origin and chain of distribution.

An FIR has been lodged at the Digapahandi Police Station in this connection.

Authorities are now interrogating the vehicle operators to determine how the gas cylinders entered the market and who is behind this unlawful network.

The case underscores growing concerns about the safety and regulation of domestic fuel distribution in rural Odisha.

Sources confirmed that surprise raids might be conducted in Digapahandi based on leads emerging from this illegal activity.

No comments were received from either local police or the operators in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier in another incident, an individual was taken into custody by the police on March 12 over allegations of unlawfully selling gas cylinders at elevated prices in Sundargarh district.

Local police, along with officials from the Civil Supplies Department, had conducted a surprise raid on a retail outlet named ‘Patra General Store’ located on Vijaya Talkies Road in Dengibhadi, after receiving complaints of black marketing.

During the search operation, at least 55 gas cylinders were seized, and the shop owner, identified as Badri Patra, was arrested in this connection.

Reported By: Satya