Madhubani District Administration Intensifies Crackdown on LPG Hoarding
In a decisive move to ensure hassle-free supply of LPG cylinders for domestic consumers, the Madhubani district administration has ramped up its campaign against hoarders and black-marketers. Under the directive of District Magistrate Anand Sharma, authorities conducted targeted raids over the weekend, resulting in the registration of two separate cases and the recovery of 89 empty LPG cylinders from various locations across the district.
First Raid: 72 Cylinders Seized from Herbal Medicine Shop
Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team from Rudrapur raided a shop in Karnpur that was ostensibly dealing in herbal medicines and books. The raid, conducted under the Rudrapur police station jurisdiction, uncovered a significant cache of 72 empty LPG cylinders that were being stored illegally on the premises.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Samim, son of Abdul Quddus and a resident of Harna gram panchayat, was arrested at the scene. All 72 cylinders were immediately seized by the authorities. Preliminary investigations indicate that Samim was hoarding these domestic LPG cylinders with the clear intention of selling them at inflated prices on the black market, exploiting consumer demand.
A formal case has been registered against the accused, and further investigation is currently underway to determine the full extent of the illegal operation and identify any potential accomplices.
Second Incident: 17 Cylinders Recovered from Chanauraganj Shop
In a coordinated effort, a separate team comprising magistrates and police officials inspected a shop located in Chanauraganj, within the Jhanjarpur block. This inspection led to the discovery and recovery of 17 empty LPG cylinders that were being held unlawfully.
The shopowner, Deepak Kumar Purve, has been charged under relevant sections, and an FIR has been lodged against him. Following the legal procedures, Purve was sent to judicial custody as the case progresses through the judicial system.
District-Wide Inspection Initiative Launched
In response to these incidents and to prevent future malpractices, District Magistrate Anand Sharma has instituted a comprehensive inspection regime. Special teams have been formed with the mandate to examine every LPG agency operating within Madhubani district thoroughly.
These teams are tasked with conducting detailed checks on multiple fronts, including:
- Verification of stock registers for accuracy and transparency
- Assessment of the distribution systems in place
- Review of booking procedures to ensure fairness
- Evaluation of timely supply mechanisms to end consumers
- Compliance audits with all established norms and regulations
The administration's proactive stance aims to curb illegal activities that disrupt the legitimate supply chain and impose undue financial burdens on households relying on LPG for their daily cooking needs. By enforcing strict oversight, officials hope to stabilize cylinder availability and deter future attempts at hoarding and black-marketing in the region.
