Traders in Kishoreganj district are selling Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) without approval from the Explosives Department. They are running the risky business under the nose of the administration, only taking trade license from the municipalities and union parishads.
Visiting different markets this correspondent found that there is neither any extinguisher nor other equipment in the shops where the LPG are being sold to combat any unwanted mishaps.
The LPG producing companies used to take license for their dealers, but the retailers do not abide by the rules of selling and stocking of LPG. Some retailers expressed their ignorance about taking explosives license to run such business.
The rules of LPG-2004 as per Explosives Act 1884, LPG is allowed to stock without license with condition that there should be enough equipment to extinguish fire caused by the LPG.
Business establishments should mandatorily take license from the competent authority to keep the gas cylinders. If any trader violet the rules, he will face two years’ to five years’ jail and a fine of Tk 50,000 in default to suffer six months more in jail.
Arif Hossain, proprietor of Maa Store and a LPG trader of Gobindapur Chowrasta Bazar at Hossainpur upazila, told the correspondent that the LPG cylinders reach the consumers through retailers from factory to dealers. In this case, producers take the certificate for the dealers. Although Hossain claimed to have the explosive license, he failed to show it.
Another trader Iqbal does not know about the license. However, he said he has applied for the license. Some other traders told the same thing when asked about.
Md. Parvez Miah, Mayor of Kishoreganj Municipality said that they only issue license for trade and not for explosive items. He however, ordered to remove the LPG from their shops.
Monour Hossain Rony, General Secretar of Kishoreganj unit of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Kishoreganj unit said, there is no way to sell and stock the LPG without certificate from the competent authorities. He also said that the matter would be taken to notice of the district administration.
Md. Kofil Uddin, Explosive Inspector of Kishoreganj district said that they are taking action against them those who violet rules. In order to increase the awareness they off and on arrange seminar. He also said that action will be initiated against those who do not abide by the rules.
Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Abdul Kadir Mia said that the LPG trading is totally unlawful without licenses and adequate firefighting equipment.
In order to control the LPG trading, action will be taken in this regard, he added.