Mumbai, Mar 16 (PTI) Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday said 23 cases have been registered and 18 persons arrested as part of the state government’s crackdown on irregularities amid the reported shortage of LPG due to the West Asia crisis.
Replying to the issue raised by Congress’ Abhijit Wanjarri in the legislative council, Bhujbal listed steps undertaken by the state government to keep the prices under control amid the West Asia crisis.
The state government formed committees of collectors and superintendents of police at the district level, which carried out 2,129 raids and seized 1,208 cylinders and goods worth Rs 33,66,411, he said.
The state government has registered 23 cases and arrested 18 people, Bhujbal informed.
The state government has kerosene in high quantity and is working with PSUs Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to provide it through their fuel pumps, the minister said.
Asserting there is no shortage of cooking gas, LPG and PNG, Bhujbal said he held talks with IOCL, BPCL and HPCL representatives who informed him that cooking gas production has been ramped up by 9 metric tonnes to 11 metric tonnes.
He said the issue is related to the Centre, which has stated that there is enough LPG. There is enough stock of cooking gas, so there is no need to panic, the minister added.
Bhujbal said officials of oil PSUs stated there are “orders from the top” that priority should be given to households while disturbing LPG cylinders.
Thereafter, 100 per cent priority should be given to hospitals, educational institutions, general services which includes crematoriums, old age homes and orphanages, he said.
While 70 per cent priority should be given to the defence sector, railways, air traffic and police and prisons, 50 per cent priority should be given to industries related to medicines, seeds and pisciculture, the minister informed.
Bhujbal said last month the price of domestic cylinder was Rs 852.50 which rose to Rs 912.50 on March 7. The cost of commercial cylinder last month was Rs 1,720.50 to Rs 1,835.
On the prices of cooking oil, Bhujbal said in February the price of groundnut oil was Rs 188.21 which increased to Rs 194.32; mustard oil was Rs 200.67 last month which rose to Rs 204.22; vanaspati oil was Rs 153.63 last month which rose to Rs 159.32 this month; sunflower was Rs 172.16 last month to Rs 178.05 this month; palm oil was Rs 145.60 last month which rose to 148.60 this month. PTI PR BNM
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.