New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Thursday that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards black marketing and hoarding of cooking gas and will continue to act decisively against offenders, while assuring that there is no shortage of LPG supply in the national capital.
Her statement came on a day when, in a decisive crackdown on black marketing and illegal diversion of LPG cylinders, the Delhi government carried out an enforcement operation in Alipur, uncovering unlawful refilling activities and initiating strict legal action against those involved, an official said.
The action followed inputs received from a sting operation aired on a national news channel on Wednesday, said an official statement.
Chief Minister Gupta reaffirmed the government’s firm stance against such violations and emphasised that the safety of citizens and the integrity of essential supply systems are non-negotiable.
She stated that any attempt to exploit consumers or manipulate LPG distribution will invite the strictest possible action.
Gupta said that to strengthen enforcement, the government has approved the formation of 13 district-level teams, each headed by the SDM (HQ), to ensure swift action on violations.
These teams will coordinate closely with relevant departments and conduct targeted operations based on intelligence inputs and public complaints.
Earlier, after the sting operation, a joint enforcement team comprising officials from the Food and Supplies Department and representatives of Oil Marketing Companies conducted a raid at the identified premises in Alipur.
During the inspection, authorities detected illegal refilling of LPG cylinders, a practice that poses significant safety risks and disrupts regulated supply chains.
Officials also recovered three consumer passbooks, which were allegedly being misused to procure subsidised cylinders for unauthorised refilling and resale in smaller units.
All incriminating materials found at the site have been seized, and an FIR has been registered against the accused.
The government has also urged citizens to actively participate in curbing illegal activities by reporting suspicious practices. Complaints can be lodged via helpline numbers 011-23379836 and 8383824659 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The CM assured that all verified complaints will be acted upon promptly and that the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.
The Chief Minister pointed out that illegal refilling not only undermines fair distribution but also creates hazardous conditions due to unsafe handling and storage of cylinders.
The government has directed enforcement agencies to intensify inspections across the supply chain, including LPG storage facilities, distribution agencies, transport networks, and retail outlets. Surprise checks will be conducted regularly to curb malpractices, she said.
–IANS
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