Crackdown on misuse of domestic LPG cylinders
In order to arrest the diversion of domestic liquefied cylinders to commercial establishments, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) conducted raids at Selaiyur, Perumbakkam, Sholinganallur, Kaarapakkam and other areas on Rajiv Gandhi Salai.
A note from BPCL said that the raids were led by C. Muthuswamy, Deputy Manager, (LPG Sales) on August 10. During the raids, 88 commercial establishments were searched and 51 domestic cylinders of BPCL, Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited were seized.
The list of illegal establishments using domestic cylinders would be forwarded to Department of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department.Oil corporations would continue such raids to prevent misuse of domestic cylinders in commercial establishments.
Domestic LPG cylinders of 14.2 kilograms capacity are only for household customers.
The current subsidy on domestic cylinder is about Rs. 350 per cylinder. Due to price variation between domestic and commercial cylinders which is currently about Rs. 42 per kg, the domestic cylinders are getting diverted to commercial establishments leading to misuse of subsidy.
Usage of domestic cylinders for high pressure burners in commercial establishments may also lead to accidents. The usage of domestic cylinders in hotels, tea stalls, canteens, marriage halls, catering contractors, kitchens of industries, private hospitals and any other commercial establishment is illegal and such activities attracts punishment of seven-year imprisonment and penalty as per the LPG Control Order, the note added.
Minor fire in MLA’s house
A minor fire broke out at the house of the Pallavaram MLA in Nagalkeni, Chromepet, on Tuesday morning. No one was hurt.
MLA P. Dhan Singh noticed smoke emanating from the outdoor unit of a split air conditioner in the first floor portion of his house on Periyapalayathamman Koil Street in Nagalkeni, Chromepet, around 5.30 a.m., when he was getting ready for his morning walk.
He raised an alarm and after turning off the A/C and the main power supply fuse, poured water along with his relatives and neighbours.
Meanwhile, on information, a fire tender from Tambaram reached the spot and poured water to completely put out the fire. Television, computer and other electronic appliances were damaged in the fire.
Reporters protest assault on colleague
A large number of reporters from both the print and visual media staged a demonstration in Sembakkam near Tambaram on Wednesday last, protesting the assault on Tuesday on New Indian Express photographer, Albin Mathew, inside the IIT Madras premises, where a girl committed suicide.
The photographer was assaulted by a group of men, including a faculty and security personnel. Protesting against this, nearly 50 media men from various print and visual medial organisations took part in a demonstration at Sembakkam on Wednesday evening.
They demanded stern action against those involved.
K. Muniandi, Secretary, Kancheepuram District Press Association, said that in the recent past, there had been a number of assaults on media members in the city and its suburbs.
He said it was nothing but a clear and direct assault on the freedom of speech and expression. He said that the recent assault on a media crew at a stone quarry in Tiruneermalai and an earlier attack on a photographer of a leading Tamil Daily were pointers to this.
Mr. Muniandi urged the State Government to initiate stringent action against those responsible for the assault on Mr. Mathew and also ensure safety of reporters and photographers in the State.
