Bhubaneswar: The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department of Odisha has initiated a rigorous campaign against the black market and unlawful hoarding of LPG cylinders throughout the state.

As reported on September 5, enforcement teams carried out inspections at 3,810 locations across Odisha, identifying sites where gas cylinders were being illegally stored for the purpose of black marketing. In these operations, a total of 8,434 cylinders were confiscated.

Additionally, the department has launched robust legal measures against those involved. So far, 46 FIRs have been filed, and 496 cases have been registered under the Essential Commodities (EC) Act. Nine individuals have been apprehended in connection with these illicit activities.

The department emphasized that these enforcement efforts will persist to prevent the illegal hoarding of LPG cylinders and to ensure that subsidized cylinders intended for domestic use are not redirected to commercial markets.