(a) whether the Government is aware of the illegal filling of LPG cylinders in urban villages of Delhi as reported in ‘Dainik Jagran’ on June 13, 2005 ;
(b) if so, whether any enquiry has been conducted by the Government in this regard ;
(c) if so, the details alongwith findings thereof ; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to check such illegal acts ?
MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS & PANCHAYATI RAJ ( SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR )
(a) to (c) : On the basis of a news item published in the Delhi edition of ‘Dainik Jagran’ dated 13 June 2005, a discreet inquiry was conducted by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). They did not notice any pilferage of LPG from their LPG cylinders in the area of operation mentioned in the news item. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have not also come across any case of illegal filling of LPG cylinders in the area mentioned. Nor have Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) come across any instances where illegal filling of gas is taking place.
As regards, the alleged activities of illegal filling of cylinders by some private parties as mentioned in the news item, the State Government is competent to take legal action against such parties in terms of the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order 2000.
(d) : The steps taken by the Government to check malpractices/irregularities in LPG distribution include :-
(i) LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 have been promulgated. Under this Order, pilferage of LPG from cylinders is prohibited.
(ii) State Governments are empowered to take action against erring distributors / persons under the provisions of the above Order.
(iii) Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) for LPG distributors of Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been laid down by Government prescribing strict punishment for offending distributors involved in the pilferage of LPG.
(iv) Officials of OMCs carry out random checks at distributor’s godowns, delivery points as well as enroute to forestall pilferage. If pilferage is established, on any complaint, action is taken against the erring distributor in terms of the MDG or Distributorship Agreement.