DU canteens flout LPG cylinder rules

The University of Delhi still uses “domestic LPG cylinders” in its canteens instead of commercial cylinders, as mandated by government norms.

An RTI application filed by law student Mohit K. Gupta, to which Dr Naresh Kumar, AR (Estate), replied that the departmental canteen in the administrative block of the varsity does not come under his purview.

However, he mentioned that the catering terms and conditions do not allow the holistic food centre at the Arts Faculty to use LPG domestic cylinders.

“The contractor is liable to follow norms and comply with statutory provisions for running cafeteria services,” Dr Kumar replied.

Moreover, the varsity admitted that although the agreement stipulates that there should be inspections to make sure about the standardisation of food items served at canteens, no further details have been provided about the number of such inspections carried out.

“Use of red colour subsidised LPG cylinder (noncommercial) by DU canteens for commercial purposes, in particular M/s Holistic Food Centre near faculty of arts and departmental canteen in new administrative block is a punishable offence under Essential Commodities Act, 1955,” Mr Gupta said.

Although the Estate department has said that it was in possession of the FSSAI license submitted by the holistic food centre, it denied to give a certified copy of the same. This, Mr Gupta argued, prevented transparency.

The “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order 2000” specifically prohibits the use of domestic cylinders for commercial purposes and possessing more than one domestic cylinder connection in the name of one person. The punishment for this offence ranges from three months to seven years with fine, to be decided by the court.