Consumers should not face any kind of inconvenience: District Magistrate

Patna: (ABN) The District Magistrate held a meeting with the Senior Superintendent of Police, Municipal Commissioner, Deputy Development Commissioner, all Superintendents of Police, Sub-Divisional Officers, Sub-Divisional Police Officers, Additional District Magistrate (Supply), Special Officer (Rationing), officers of gas companies, District Development Officers, Cycle House officers, and other officers to review the supply and distribution of LPG gas. During the meeting, the current situation regarding the availability, booking, and distribution of LPG gas was reviewed. Officers were directed to prioritize consumer convenience and to register an FIR and arrest individuals involved in black marketing, hoarding, or overpricing in case of complaints. Additionally, representatives of gas agencies were directed to perform their duties in a responsible and efficient manner.

The District Magistrate stated that the entire administrative machinery is alert and ready to ensure the smooth supply and distribution of domestic LPG gas. Authorities are conducting regular inspections to prevent any inconvenience to consumers and are taking legal action against individuals involved in black marketing and other illegal activities related to LPG gas. Regular inspections and raids are being conducted by Additional District Magistrates, other district-level officers, Sub-Divisional Officers, and Block-level officers in the premises of LPG dealers and distributors. Feedback is also being actively sought from consumers, elected public representatives, and the general public.

Specific instructions have been issued to register an FIR and arrest individuals involved in illegal activities in case of complaints regarding black marketing, hoarding, or overpricing. The District Magistrate further stated that based on reports submitted by authorities, it is clear that consumers are booking LPG gas strictly according to their genuine needs, and there is no atmosphere of fear or panic among the public. Consumers are opting to book LPG gas only according to their actual requirements, which is a positive and encouraging situation. Authorities are maintaining continuous contact and dialogue with all stakeholders, including consumers, gas agencies, and respected public representatives, and are actively seeking feedback and suggestions.

The District Magistrate said that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the transparent and smooth supply of domestic LPG gas in the interest of consumers. If any instance of negligence, laxity, or irregularity comes to the fore at any level, strict action will be initiated against the culprits under the ESMA Act (Essential Services Maintenance Act). The District Magistrate further informed that 28 enforcement squads are actively working at the block level to address complaints related to domestic LPG cylinders and to prevent hoarding of cylinders. Block Supply Officers, Block Supply Inspectors, and Assistant District Supply Officers have been designated as nodal officers in these squads.

All Sub-Divisional Officers have been designated as Senior Officers in charge of the enforcement squads and mechanisms established at the block level within their respective jurisdictions and have been directed to ensure effective action in resolving complaints related to domestic LPG gas. The District Magistrate stated that Sector, Zonal, and Super Zonal Magistrates are conducting regular and in-depth inspections and raids on hotels, dhabas, and other commercial establishments to prevent the misuse of domestic gas. Such operations were also carried out today.

Officers have been directed to take strict legal action whenever complaints of illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders are received in commercial establishments. Finally, the District Magistrate informed that a 24x7 helpline/District Control Room (telephone number: 0612-2219810), equipped with five hunting lines, is fully operational at the district level to monitor matters related to domestic LPG gas. Consumers are using this number to provide information and report issues, and the district administration is taking prompt action based on the information received.

The information, complaints, and suggestions received in the District Control Room - which are recorded in a register using a prescribed format - are being used by the administration, in collaboration with gas companies, to provide assistance to consumers. Officers and staff have been deployed in the District Control Room on a shift basis to ensure prompt action based on the information provided by consumers. Based on the information received from consumers, the Control Room informs members of enforcement squads, Block Supply Officers/Inspectors, other Block-level officers, Sub-Divisional Supply Officers, Assistant District Supply Officers, Sub-Divisional Officers/Sub-Divisional level officers, Additional District Magistrates (Supply Officers), Supply Officers (Supply), and other relevant officers.

All Sub-Divisional Officers have also been directed to ensure that Control Rooms in their respective Sub-Divisions remain functional.