Balodabazar/Dhamtari/Koriya, Chhattisgarh: Authorities in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh have intensified enforcement against the illegal commercial use of domestic LPG cylinders. Food and civil supplies department officials conducted surprise inspections at hotels, roadside eateries, and tea stalls across multiple districts, seizing several domestic gas cylinders being used for business purposes.
In Balodabazar, a team from the food department carried out sudden inspections at various food establishments and tea stalls across the city. During the checks, officials found that some businesses were using household LPG cylinders for commercial cooking, which violates government regulations.
Five domestic cylinders were confiscated from different establishments, including Biryani Center, Aakash Bhojanalaya, Garh Kaleva, Muskan Tea Stall, and Devangan Biryani. One cylinder was seized from each location. Officials also warned the operators that strict legal action would be taken if similar violations are found in the future.
Enforcement in Dhamtari
A similar inspection drive was conducted in Dhamtari under the leadership of Assistant Food Officer Bhelendra Kumar Dhruv, along with Food Inspectors Nilesh Chandrakar and Vaibhav Koratia. The team inspected hotels and other commercial establishments operating within the municipal area.
During the inspections, two businesses were found using domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes. Cylinders and related equipment were seized from Om Dairy at the bus stand, operated by Lalit Goswami, and Rajlakshmi Hotel and Bhojanalaya near Arjuni Chowk, run by Hemant Das Sinha.
Administrative Meeting in Koriya
In Koriya district, a meeting of LPG agency operators was held under the chairmanship of the Additional Collector to review the availability of domestic gas cylinders for consumers. Agency representatives informed officials that adequate stock of LPG cylinders is available and supply to consumers is continuing without disruption.
Meanwhile, enforcement teams carried out raids in the Baikunthpur area, where 10 domestic LPG cylinders being used for commercial purposes were seized from hotels and roadside eateries.
Legal Provisions
Officials stated that using domestic LPG cylinders for commercial activities is a violation of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Legal action can be taken under Sections 3 and 7 of the Act, which may include financial penalties and other punitive measures.
Authorities have emphasized that commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and tea stalls must use commercial LPG cylinders only.
Inspections to Continue
The food department has made it clear that the inspection campaign will continue in other parts of the districts as well. Officials say some businesses tend to use domestic cylinders because they are cheaper, but this practice disrupts the LPG distribution system and violates regulatory norms.
The administration has therefore decided to strictly enforce the rules to ensure fair distribution of LPG and prevent misuse of subsidized domestic gas cylinders.