Nagpur tightens gas cylinder supply rules ahead of festivals, notices to two firms
Nagpur's food supply department has ordered strict safety checks on LPG supply for Ganeshotsav and issued show-cause notices to two oil companies for skipping a review meeting.
Ahead of Ganeshotsav and the coming festivals, Nagpur's city food supply department called an urgent meeting aimed at keeping the public safe and ensuring uninterrupted LPG gas supply.
The meeting was chaired by Nagpur's city food supply officer Shalini Gedam. Operators of all LPG gas agencies in the city were called in, along with officials from oil companies. Bharat Petroleum's sales officer Nitin Khot attended the meeting.
However, sales officers from Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum did not attend the meeting, which was called on an important issue like safety, and the department expressed strong displeasure over this. It has now been decided to send show-cause notices to the absent officers of both companies.
The meeting gave clear directions that every consumer must get domestic gas cylinders on time and in a transparent manner. It was also stated that black-marketing of cylinders, illegal stockpiling or unauthorised sale will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Mandals holding public events or mahaprasad during Ganeshotsav have now been made to compulsorily use only commercial cylinders. If domestic cylinders are found being used commercially at any public place or mandal, strict legal action will be taken against both the agency concerned and the user.
New directions have also been issued regarding vehicles. Every delivery vehicle carrying cylinders must clearly display the name of the gas agency. In addition, as per the rules of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, the required instruction codes must also be marked on the vehicles.
Contact numbers for the fire brigade, police and emergencies must be written in large, clear letters on gas delivery vehicles. Under safety rules, every vehicle carrying cylinders must have a working fire extinguisher on board. Every driver transporting gas cylinders must also hold a special hazardous driving licence from the RTO.
Food supply officer Shalini Gedam has given all gas agencies a week's time to comply with these safety rules. She said clearly that if any violation of rules or lapse in safety is found anywhere after this deadline, the supply department will take strict legal and punitive action.
