Straight Talk

Prof.Mahesh Panse

            The use of domestic gas cylinders for commercial purposes was prevalent in the past, and it continues unabated even today. Consequently, observers in Chandrapur district point out that the demand for domestic gas cylinders has surged significantly—reaching “war-like” proportions—due to this misuse.

          It is widely believed that the truth would be exposed if one were to simply verify whether the hotels, restaurants, tea stalls, dhabas, and samosa-pakora vendors—who are currently raising a hue and cry about the government hiking commercial gas prices and restricting supply—have actually bothered to register for commercial gas connections in the first place.

         While it would be unfair to claim that all commercial establishments engage in the illicit diversion of domestic gas, there is certainly no shortage of vendors across the district who, through sheer cunning, seem to be mocking the public with the attitude: “We made fools of you, all while feeding you samosas!” However, it is now being said that the brunt of this deceit will ultimately have to be borne by the common people.

          The repercussions of the geopolitical conflict between the US and Iran have begun to hit the common household kitchen. A distressing picture is emerging across the nation, where ordinary citizens are seen running from pillar to post—struggling as if in a war zone—just to procure a gas cylinder.

           As the public struggles to navigate the “double-edged sword” of gas shortages compounded by skyrocketing cylinder prices, an infuriating scene unfolds in Chandrapur district: thousands of commercial vendors continue to brazenly “make hay” by utilizing domestic gas cylinders right under the noses of a beleaguered and anxious populace. It is well known that even before this, most of the commercial people in the district were using domestic gas cylinders. In the war situation, the prices of both domestic and commercial cylinders have increased. Although the government’s policy of prioritizing domestic gas supply is right, will hotels, restaurants, tea and pakoda shops increase the cost of domestic cooking by stealing domestic gas? There is a strong doubt. There is a shortage of commercial gas, the price has increased, and now there is a discussion in the district that many hotel businessmen have increased the prices of food items because of the increase in expenses. 

            Many experts are of the opinion that the demand of restaurants and hotel businessmen is pointless and it is clear that domestic gas is still being used for commercial purposes on a large scale. The number of restaurants, hotels, dhabas, tea shops, restaurants, catering and snack centers in Chandrapur district is in the thousands.

          However, the number of commercial gas registrants in the district is negligible. This means that it is clear that commercial people were and are using domestic gas cylinders on a large scale at present.

             It goes without saying that these commercial entities are either hoodwinking the government or are misusing domestic gas supplies. According to public discourse, it is estimated that 25 percent of the domestic gas cylinders allocated to the district are being siphoned off by commercial users—or, alternatively, that gas agencies across the district may be involved in a gas supply scam.

           The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran is poised to expose this gas scam to the world. It hardly needs to be pointed out to the relevant authorities that if the government secures the 25 percent of domestic gas cylinders currently being diverted by commercial users, the adverse impact on the kitchens of the common people—stemming from this war-like situation—could be brought under control.

         There are approximately 330 million domestic gas connections across the country, implying a total supply of 660 million cylinders. In Chandrapur district alone, the number of domestic gas cylinders likely runs into the hundreds of thousands. If commercial entities continue to divert 25 percent of these domestic cylinders, the existing shortage is bound to intensify further amidst the current war-like conditions.

          Although 400 hotel operators in Chandrapur city have begun raising an outcry regarding a shortage of commercial-grade gas, there have been no recorded instances of any hotels actually shutting down operations thus far. The question remains: will this group continue to make fools of everyone while chanting the slogan, “Long live domestic gas!”?