Media365
A file photo of officials inspecting an illegal gas refilling unit.
| Photo Credit: Photo for representation only
The Grahak Dakshata Kalyan Foundation has sought action against five outlets in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, which are said to be illegally providing domestic gas to hotels and other commercial establishments.
Talking to reporters, the foundation’s Karnataka unit president N. Chetan Kumar said they have found two outlets in Mangaluru taluk, and one each in Kadaba, Puttur and Sullia taluks where gas from domestic gas cylinders is being transferred into commercial gas cylinders, and being sold to commercial establishments at the rate of domestic gas cylinders.
In addition, he alleged, these outlets are illegally fitting domestic gas cylinders to vehicles.
“We had given a complaint on March 7 to the Deputy Director, Food and Civil Supplies, Dakshina Kannada, containing the addresses of these five outlets. We hope action is taken at the earliest,” Mr. Kumar said.
The 19-kg commercial gas cylinder is sold in the market for around ₹2,000, which includes 18% GST. The domestic gas cylinder is available for around ₹800, including GST of 5%.
Some outlets across Karnataka are illegally providing domestic gas cylinders to commercial establishments, which is causing loss of GST revenue to the government. The federation, based in Nagpur (Maharashtra), has been seeking closure of such outlets.
The federation has received complaints against gas agencies that are diverting domestic gas cylinders to commercial establishments, he claimed.
Mr. Kumar said customers should insist on delivery personnel weighing domestic gas cylinders before accepting delivery of the cylinder. Generally, delivery personnel have not been asking customers for the OTP sent by the oil company at the time of delivery of the cylinder.
Published – March 10, 2025 05:26 pm IST
