LPG agencies violating rules to be sealed from Monday

RAWALPINDI: A grand operation against the illegal business of decanting of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) would be launched by Civil Defence in Rawalpindi and Attock districts on Monday.

According to details, following the special instructions of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), crackdowns would be conducted against LPG cylinder agencies by special teams of Civil Defense.

Chief Inspector Civil Defence Talib Hussain told this while talking to APP here on Saturday. He said, the notices have already been issued in this regard to 356 license holder LPG agencies of Rawalpindi and Attock and warned of surprise checks at gas agencies to ensure that they comply with all directions.

The agencies found violating rules would be sealed. The FIRs would be lodged with the respective Police Stations and the violators would be sent behind the bars, he said.

Any authorized agency found transferring the gas illegally from one cylinder to other, which is a violation of the rules, would be sealed, he added.

He said, action in accordance with the law would also be taken against those not using approved cylinders and their values while the low quality products would be confiscated.

Talib Hussain told that there are 256 authorized agencies in Rawalpindi district while 100 LPG agencies are in Attock district.

He informed that according the rules of OGRA, LPG cylinder agencies cannot be established at basements of any building, near Mosques, Imam Bargahs, Churches, Bus stops, sensitive government installations, Hotels, Schools and other public places.

All LPG cylinder agencies must have fire-extinguishing gadgets, he said adding, the agencies not following rules will have to face legal action.

Chief Inspector Talib Hussain said that the Punjab government issued directives to Civil Defence Department to launch action against the illegal business of decanting of LPG.

He said that the department would take stern action against the violators under Petroleum Act and LPG Protection and Distribution Act and the operation would continue till the set targets are achieved.