Kolkata Police Cracks Down on LPG Black Marketing

Kolkata Police launched a crackdown on LPG cylinder black marketing amid supply issues in West Bengal. The action follows Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s directive to monitor and prevent cooking gas black marketing. Police stations are intensifying surveillance and verifying stocks to prevent artificial shortages and illegal sales.

Kolkata Police have initiated a stringent crackdown on the alleged black marketing of LPG cylinders, addressing a significant supply constraint affecting several parts of West Bengal. This operation follows a directive from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to monitor cooking gas distribution closely to curb illicit market practices.

The central police headquarters at Lalbazar has instructed all stations to heighten their vigilance on LPG distribution and storage facilities. This measure aims to prevent any artificial shortages in the city, ensuring that no illegal diversions or inflated sales occur. Deputy commissioners across divisions are actively overseeing these efforts.

The Centre has prioritized cooking gas and transportation sectors to receive full allocations of domestically produced natural gas, in light of disruptions from the West Asia conflict. Amidst these challenges, police are also ensuring alternative cooking arrangements in barracks to maintain uninterrupted household supplies.

(With inputs from agencies.)