Silchar Municipal Corporation Cracks Down on Illegal LPG Use in Eateries
In a major enforcement move against fuel black marketing, the District Administration of Cachar, in collaboration with the Silchar Municipal Corporation (SMC), on Tuesday launched a series of raids on hotels and restaurants in Silchar town that were found illegally using subsidised domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders for commercial purposes.
The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner of Cachar, Unhale Ashish Vidyadhar, IAS, and carried out as a coordinated operation involving the District Administration, SMC, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), and authorised LPG distributor agencies. Teams fanned out across different localities within the municipal limits to inspect commercial establishments, acting on credible intelligence reports and widespread public complaints about the diversion of domestic LPG.
Officials confirmed that several eateries were using domestic cylinders in their kitchens, a clear violation of norms that mandate commercial establishments to use non-subsidised commercial cylinders. Authorities emphasised that such practices not only deprive households of their legitimate quota of subsidised LPG but also pose significant safety hazards, given the heavy usage of gas in congested and fire-prone areas.
Sharing her reaction, SMC Commissioner Srishti Singh, IAS, issued a strong warning to violators. “The misuse of subsidised LPG in commercial establishments is both illegal and unsafe. The civic body has adopted a zero-tolerance policy, and strict legal action will be initiated against offenders, including penalties and cancellation of trade licences where necessary. The safety of citizens and the fair distribution of resources remain our foremost priority,” she said.
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Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Unhale Ashish Vidyadhar, IAS, who led the team on the ground, emphasised the need for sustained vigilance. He said, “This operation is part of our broader effort to curb black marketing and ensure that domestic LPG reaches the households for whom it is intended. Such coordinated drives will be intensified in the coming weeks to enforce compliance.”
Officials said that the raids were not a one-time exercise but the beginning of a series of regular inspections. LPG distributors and agencies have also been instructed to strengthen their monitoring mechanisms to prevent diversion of cylinders at the supply stage itself.
Notably, Tuesday’s crackdown has drawn appreciation from local residents, many of whom had raised concerns about chronic shortages caused by illegal diversion. Civic groups and consumer associations hailed the move as timely and necessary to restore transparency and accountability in fuel distribution.
Authorities added that violators may face stringent action under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, which empowers the administration to penalise illegal use and diversion of subsidised goods.
By mounting this large-scale, coordinated raid, the District Administration and SMC Silchar have sent a clear message that misuse of domestic LPG for profit will not be tolerated, and public safety as well as consumer rights will remain paramount.
This was stated in a press release issued by the Regional Office of Information & Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar, Assam.
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