Notices served on gas agencies for violating rules and practices

Shimla, Feb 23 (UNI) The Shimla district and civil supplies department has served notices to six local gas agencies for not adhering to established trade practices and violating the rules.

The notices have been issued following the raids conducted by the district officials a few days ago in which it was brought to its notice that these gas agencies were not fulfilling the obligatory trade requirements.

Vineet, Durga, Best, Uttam, Shiva and Aarti gas agencies have been asked to submit their replies within seven days, besides a report pertaining to the raids conducted has been forwarded to the India Oil Corporation for necessary action.

In the past few days complaints had been received that gas agencies were trying to exploit customers, following which raids were conducted by the district food and civil supplies department.

''During the raids at few gas agencies the stock of Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders were found to short as compared to the stock register, while at other instances, agencies were found answerable of not displaying the rate and stock lists,'' R. S Panwar, District Food and Civil Supplies Officer told UNI here.

Cases of fake delivery of LPG cylinders were also established, besides the gas agencies were also found indulging in storing the LPG gas cylinders at road-sides for sale purpose instead of storing these cylinders in the stores, he said.

''We have served notices to these agencies for their apparent violation of rules and regulations. If their guilt is established these agencies could be penalised between Rs 20,000 to Rupees one lakh,'' said Mr Panwar.

As per the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, each gas agencies are required to display the stock statement on the business premises as well as the storage point.

UNI AS JN VN1757