Time to get tough

The recent recovery of a large number of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders from an unauthorized storage facility in Ganderbal should serve as a wake-up call for authorities across Jammu and Kashmir. While the police action deserves appreciation, the incident also exposes a larger and more troubling reality, i.e. the persistent menace of illegal hoarding and black marketing that continues to undermine public welfare and economic fairness. Whether it involves LPG cylinders, essential commodities, construction materials or other regulated goods, hoarding creates artificial shortages and drives up prices, leaving ordinary consumers to bear the burden. Such practices are particularly damaging in a region where many families already face economic challenges and depend on timely access to essential supplies. The Ganderbal case is unlikely to be an isolated incident. Illegal stockpiling often flourishes where enforcement is sporadic and penalties fail to act as a deterrent. Those involved exploit market vulnerabilities for personal gain while compromising public safety. In the case of LPG cylinders, unauthorized storage is not merely an economic offence but a serious safety hazard that can endanger lives and property. The administration must therefore treat the issue with the urgency it deserves. Regular inspections, coordinated enforcement drives, stronger monitoring of supply chains and strict action against violators are essential. Technology can also play a role through digital tracking of distribution networks and real-time inventory monitoring. Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed significant efforts to improve governance and service delivery in recent years. Allowing illegal hoarding to persist would undermine those gains. The message must be clear and unequivocal: profiteering through artificial scarcity and unauthorized storage will not be tolerated. The Ganderbal crackdown should mark the beginning of a sustained, region-wide campaign against this entrenched menace.