New Delhi [India], April 3 (ANI): Strict action is being taken against hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders in the national capital, Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport) Milind Mahadeo Dumbere said on Friday.

He said four cases were registered yesterday, taking the total number of cases to 27 and added that some people have also been arrested in this regard.

'The Delhi Police is taking all legal action necessary regarding hoarding and block marketing (of LPG cylinders). Four cases were registered yesterday, and raids have been conducted. A total of 27 cases have been registered to date. Some arrests have also happened,' he said.

He further said that the efforts of the Delhi police in maintaining law and order and ensuring a strict course of action against such illegal activities.

'Local police have been deployed at gas agencies to maintain a law and order situation. The Intelligence wing is also working to ensure action on intelligence input. Joint action takes place with the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs as and when needed,' he added.

Earlier on Thursday, the Government said it is pushing the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to reduce pressure on Liquified Petrolum Gas (LPG) supplies amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

Addressing an Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the government has taken several steps to promote PNG connections across the country.

'The Indian government has taken several steps to promote PNG connections. This is also important because it will help ease the pressure on LPG,' Sharma said.

She also recalled that the government had issued an order to encourage states to promote PNG expansion through ease-of-doing-business measures.

'In this context, I would like to remind you that the Indian government had issued an order stating that 10 per cent additional commercial LPG will be provided if state governments promote PNG expansion through ease-of-doing-business measures,' she said.

According to Sharma, several states have already benefited from the policy.

'Around eight states have been given additional allocation, and applications from three states have been received and are under consideration,' she added. (ANI)