38 Domestic LPG Cylinders Seized In Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur Amid Shortage Fears & Black Marketing

Authorities in Chhatarpur district conducted raids over two days, seizing 38 domestic LPG cylinders amid local shortages. The actions targeted illegal storage and suspected black marketing, with activities extending to a water plant. Officials emphasised ongoing monitoring to deter non-authorised handling of cylinders while assuring nationwide fuel adequacy.

Authorities in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh seized 38 domestic LPG cylinders during raids over two days, after reports of local shortages and long queues at gas agencies, even as the Centre stated that supplies of LPG and other fuels remained adequate nationwide.

Officials said the action targeted suspected black marketing, illegal storage and diversion of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes in the Bundelkhand district, which borders Uttar Pradesh, following directions from the Chhatarpur district administration to act firmly against such practices.

LPG cylinders raids and shortage concerns

The reported shortage of cooking gas cylinders in parts of Madhya Pradesh over the past three days was linked by local residents to the conflict in West Asia, which has affected global energy movements, although the Union government maintained there was no shortfall of petrol, diesel, kerosene or LPG across India.

One of the major seizures took place on Wednesday in Chhatarpur town, where officials recovered 25 LPG cylinders from a house in Vishwanath Colony after a complaint. District Food Officer Sitaram Kothare said the raid followed information that cylinders were being stored illegally at the residence of retired teacher Shyamlal Ahirwar.

Kothare said a team involving the local tehsildar, naib tehsildar and a food inspector entered the house and found 22 empty and three filled LPG cylinders, all seized on the spot, and added that legal proceedings had been started against the accused under the Petroleum Act.

LPG cylinders misuse at water plant and official action

On Thursday, a separate joint team from the revenue and food departments raided a water plant in Bilhari village in the Nowgong area, where 13 empty domestic LPG cylinders were found, which officials said had been stored without permission and were being supplied for commercial activity.

Officials said this raid was led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate G. S. Patel, acting on instructions from in-charge district collector Namah Shivay Arjariya, and added that more checks on domestic LPG cylinder storage locations in Chhatarpur district were likely as authorities continued monitoring complaints about scarcity and suspected black marketing.