00:00Getting an LPG cylinder through Jugaad could actually land you in legal trouble.
00:06Liquified Petroleum Gas or LPG is the lifeline for millions of Indian households.
00:11But with the ongoing tensions in West Asia,
00:14fears of supply disruption have triggered panic buying, delays and long queues.
00:19While central and state governments insist there is no shortage,
00:23the situation on the ground tells a more complicated story.
00:28With allegations of black marketing and hoarding.
00:32So what does the law actually say?
00:37At the centre of India's LPG regulations is the Essential Commodities Act of 1955,
00:43which allows the government to control production, supply and pricing of essential goods like LPG
00:49to prevent hoarding and profiteering.
00:52This means any kind of Jugaad to get a cylinder faster or at a higher price
00:57is completely illegal.
00:59The LPG Regulation of Supply and Distribution Order of 2000
01:03specifically ensures that domestic LPG reaches households at a regulated price
01:09and is not diverted for commercial use.
01:12Selling cylinders without authorisation, hoarding excess stock
01:15or diverting subsidised LPG to businesses are all punishable offences.
01:21Safety is covered under the Gas Cylinders Rules 2016,
01:24which regulates how they are stored, transported and filled.
01:29Any unauthorised handling or transport without proper licences can also lead to serious penalties.
01:35Under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act,
01:38those involved in black marketing or hoarding can face imprisonment between 3 months up to 7 years in jail,
01:45along with heavy fines and confiscation of any cylinders, vehicles and equipment.
01:51Distributors can also lose their licences permanently.
01:55In more serious cases, authorities can even invoke the Prevention of Black Marketing
02:00and Maintenance of Supplies and Essential Commodities Act of 1980,
02:04which even allows for preventive detention.
02:08Violation of safety rules under the Gas Cylinders Rules can lead up to 2 years of imprisonment or fines
02:15because improper handling of LPG poses serious risks to life and property.
02:20And it's not just the sellers who can be held liable.
02:23If you knowingly buy an LPG cylinder from the black market,
02:28you can be treated as abetting the offence under Section 8 of the Essential Commodities Act,
02:35which means fine, possible imprisonment or even cancellation of your LPG connection.
02:41LPG is an essential resource meant for everyone.
02:45And black marketing doesn't just break the law,
02:48it deprives families of a basic necessity.
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