Jalandhar Administration Uncovers Empty LPG Cylinders in Mehatpur Amid Supply Crisis
In response to a severe shortage of LPG cylinders, particularly in rural regions, the district administration of Jalandhar has initiated rigorous inspections and formed a specialized committee to combat potential black marketing activities. The administration has confirmed that teams from the Food and Civil Supply Department have been conducting raids across multiple locations over the past two days to ensure fair distribution and availability of gas cylinders.
Raids in Mehatpur Yield Empty Cylinders but No Hoarding Evidence
Following reports highlighted by The Tribune regarding cylinder shortages in Mandala and Mehatpur, enforcement teams targeted establishments in Mehatpur on Saturday. During these inspections, officials discovered approximately 8 to 10 empty LPG cylinders stored at two separate sites: village Adra Mann and Mehatpur itself. However, authorities have clarified that no instances of hoarding or illegal black marketing have been identified so far, suggesting the cylinders may have been stocked with community consent for refilling purposes.
Administrative Measures to Address Supply Disruptions
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal emphasized that the administration is deploying necessary staff to monitor and address any complaints related to black marketing promptly. A committee led by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) has been established to oversee these efforts and ensure swift action on received information. Dr. Aggarwal also reassured that no caps have been imposed on cylinder issuance for either commercial or residential establishments in Jalandhar, aiming to prevent panic buying and rumors of scarcity.
Sources within the administration revealed that supply glitches in Jalandhar were partly due to technical issues, including the crashing of an official portal for one gas agency and the temporary closure of cylinder issuance during certain shifts. These problems have reportedly been resolved, with closed shifts restarted to restore smooth cylinder flow and distribution.
Ongoing Vigilance and Public Assurance
District Food Supply Controller Narinder Singh stated that department teams remain on high alert, conducting raids at gas agency godowns throughout the weekend. He noted that, aside from the empty cylinders found, no cases of black marketing have emerged, and all efforts are focused on maintaining an uninterrupted supply chain. The administration continues to closely monitor the situation through the special committee, with regular checks at gas agencies and storage facilities to ensure efficient distribution of domestic cylinders.
Dr. Aggarwal appealed to the public to disregard unfounded rumors about shortages and avoid panic purchasing, highlighting the administration's commitment to transparency and effective crisis management in the face of the ongoing LPG supply challenges.
