Teams deployed in Maharashtra to prevent hoarding of LPG cylinders

Maharashtra forms teams to combat LPG cylinder hoarding amid shortages affecting businesses and residents in multiple districts.

Amid fears of hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders in Maharashtra, officials at the taluka level have formed teams to monitor illegal stockpiling.

“Another advisory will be issued to prioritise consumers under commercial LPG supply. Every taluka has set up a team under the tehsildar. We are also resolving complaints as we receive them, inspecting places where there is a possibility of hoarding, and taking strict action,” said Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi.

Residents were seen standing in long queues outside LPG cylinder supplying agencies in Solapur, Amravati, and Thane districts, and the State capital, Mumbai.

“The impact is being felt by bakeries, crematoriums, caterers, and hospitals. It has been two months since we shifted to LPG, spending ₹2 lakh for the oven,” said Mirza Gayusddin, 52, owner of Indian Bakery in Mumbai.

Students living in hostels in Pune, who come to the city from the rural parts of Maharashtra for education, were also affected. “Due to the current shortage of gas, it has become difficult to run the mess. Students are surviving on khichdi,” said Kuldeep Ambekar, founder of Student Helping Hands, an organisation working for students’ welfare in Pune.

Gaurav Catering Services operations head Khushbu Menariya said: “We have cylinders to survive for a week. If the situation gets under control, then the business will continue. Otherwise, it will impact our employees the most. We are struggling to complete prior commitments, so we have stopped taking new orders.”