Journalism of Courage
Food distribution officers are yet to carry out drives to identify community eateries that are using non-subsidised cylinders in place of commercial cylinders.
Earlier,there were only two categories of cylinders commercial and non-commercial. With the addition of two more categories subsidised and non-subsidised there is no clarity on action to be taken against eateries using non-subsidised cylinders,which are cheaper than commercial cylinders. As the non-subsidised cylinders do not affect the government exchequer,we are not clear what action is to be taken against these eateries, said officials from the food distribution office.
This month,the cost of a commercial cylinder was at Rs 1,811 while that of non-subsidised cylinder Rs 1,036. It is very difficult to track these non-subsidised cylinders. We need clear directives, said official.
Oil companies charge Rs 1,036 for non-subsidised LPG cylinder of 14.2 kg.
The retail selling price of non-subsidised cylinder was around Rs 848 between September 18 and 30,but it has now gone well over
Rs 900, said an oil company official.
The LPG cylinder rate varies every month depending on the international market. Under the rule,non-domestic LPG cylinders (14.2 kg) can be used at orphanages,hospitals,charitable trusts,mid-day meal programmes and defence establishment canteens. Non-domestic,commercial LPG cylinders of 19 kg are meant for hotels and other industrial use.
